The Must-Have Amenities Renters Expect
Trends in apartment living have changed over the years. Many young people move to a variety of cities over the course of their early careers and prefer the freedom of renting over buying.
And now older individuals are deciding to forgo big houses in their golden years and instead choose to downsize and enjoy the conveniences of apartment living.
Entice New Renters And Keep Current Tenants Happy With The Added Conveniences of These Must-Have Amenities
There are distinct advantages to apartment life, and these must-have amenities will go a long way towards raising the profile of your properties. And, for property management companies in Bethesda, MD and other higher rent locations, top amenities are expected. As a top property management company in Montgomery County, MD, we know what amentities renters expect in every zip code of the county.
On-call Maintenance Staff
Give your tenants the ultimate peace of mind with a highly qualified and friendly maintenance staff who are on-call weekdays, plus have emergency availability 24-hours a day. Broken water heaters, leaking pipes, and lockouts could happen at any time of the day or night.
Your staff should handle even little incidents like a broken cabinet handle, a tight window, or a damaged stove burner as they occur, to ensure your properties are properly maintained to your standards.
All tenants should be made aware of how to file a maintenance request correctly. Some landlords have a dedicated a maintenance phone number or create an online portal for service call requests. All non-emergency maintenance requests should be acknowledged within 24 hours.
Must-Have Amenities: Laundry Hookups
A washer and dryer in the unit is the most desirable scenario. Consider converting a small space to install a stackable washer and dryer for added value to your rental property.
If you have washer/dryer hookups available, or onsite facilities, make a note of them in the listing. Above all, the facility should be well lit, secure, and immaculate, with machines in fantastic shape.
Where Can I Store This?
The one drawback to apartment life could be the lack of storage, so make sure your properties have plenty of stashes. Walk-in closets are a huge selling point for renters, as well as roomy linen closets, and front hall closets. Consider adding California-style additions to a standard closet for added value.
Built-in shelves in the living room and bedrooms serve as unique storage and décor options. Plenty of cupboard space in the bathroom and kitchen are also a win-win with renters.
Also, if space allows, consider offering a dedicated locked storage space for each tenant, either as an incentive or an added paid option.
Secure Parking
It seems like an obvious amenity, but depending on the location of your rental property, parking is at a premium in some areas. Providing your tenants with safe, and preferably free parking on-site or near the unit could be a bonus add over your competitors and could even being considered.
Offering free visitor’s spots is also a nice touch. Covered parking like carports or garages could be an optional choice for an additional fee.
Depending on the neighborhood, security is a must. If there isn’t a neighborhood watch program nearby or local law enforcement patrols, consider hiring a private security firm for random checks.
Patrolling of any sort will cut down on damaged or stolen vehicles and dissuade disabled cars from overstaying their welcome. Make sure you get the car make and model and license plates of all tenants and visitors too.
Safe And Sound With Locks And Lights
Whenever a tenant moves out of your property, make sure you change the locks right away.
It’s a good idea to walk through the apartment with a prospective or new renter and to show them that all the window locks work too. The windows should also be in good condition for additional security.
All lighting around the perimeter should be functioning. Walk around your grounds at night with your maintenance crew and make a note of any areas that seem too dark. Also lighting in the elevators, hallways, entrances, and laundry rooms should be periodically checked and maintained.
Must-Have Amenities: A.C.
Surprisingly, central air conditioning is not standard in some apartment units. Some landlords will install a window unit, but that relic can’t seem to cool the entire apartment. Make sure all your windows are properly sealed and weatherproofed for any weather, so your tenants will stay comfortable all season long.
Ceiling fans are an additional way to control room temperature. A gentle breeze from open windows and a circulating fan is a more refreshing option than the A.C. in some seasons.
Puppies, And Kitties, And Fish Oh My!
Allowing pets on the premises could put wear and tear on your property and annoy the neighbors if the animal is noisy all night long. But many potential tenants want to bring their favorite bundle of fluff to their new home and allowing pets could give you a competitive advantage.
If you decide to permit pets, make sure your renter knows and abides by all the rules including leash rules, clean-up policies, and apartment damages.
Attract new tenants with simple comforts that will go a long way in securing and keeping your renters happy. If you have any questions regarding tenant-desired must-have amenities, don’t hesitate to contact us with questions!
