Things like parking access, certain appliances, and pet policies are all considered apartment amenities. If you’re looking for a new apartment, you might find that not every unit will suit your needs in a cost effective way. It’s important to know which amenities you’re looking for in order to streamline your search for a new place.

There’s a lot more to apartment hunting than just finding a place to live. We all have certain needs, quirks, and expectations for our living spaces that make them feel like home. For many people, the comfort and productivity of their living space can be determined by its amenities, nonessential features of an apartment that make life easier.

They might not be necessities, but amenities can certainly make your living space a more comfortable, relaxing, and productive part of your day to day life. Whether you’re a renter or a homeowner, here’s

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What are apartment amenities?

Apartment amenities are extra features in your apartment or building that make a tenants experience unique. These can be appliances, community resources, facilities, or aspects of the building’s location. Ultimately, your home should be the place where you feel the most supported by your environment, and different types of amenities may meet your needs for the space in different ways.

Certain amenities are more likely to draw certain tenants to the building. If a building has a playground, for example, you can expect to have families with children as your neighbors should you choose to move in. Conversely, buildings with higher-end amenities like smart home systems for thermostats and security will likely attract wealthier tenants.

Additionally, some amenities—like laundry services or a dishwasher—may be found right in your apartment, while others are more community based. It’s smart to look at both in-unit and community amenities before settling on an apartment.

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In-unit amenities

Some amenities will be right in the unit you’re renting. Different units may have amenities specific to them—like a balcony or a nice view. Some units in a building may have fewer amenities than others to vary pricing options for possible tenants.

In-unit amenities are the key to your comfort, and it’s important to consider your priorities for your living space when hunting for a new place. Here’s a list of some of the most popular in-unit amenities that renters prioritize:

A fireplace

Full furnishings

In-unit laundry

Air conditioning

Smart home technology

Dishwasher

Utilities included

Community amenities

Community amenities are features that benefit residents of the entire building or complex—things like swimming pools, secure parking access, and fitness centers. These are shared spaces that can build community for residents of a building.

Generally speaking, a building’s community amenities will reflect the value of the property itself. Newer, more expensive buildings are more likely to have gyms, pools, and access to great parking and transportation. Here are some of the most popular community amenities for you to consider in your apartment search:

Fitness center

Parking access

Pet-friendly policy

Security

Swimming pool

Playground

Rooftop deck

MORE: Does renters insurance cover mold?

What amenities should I look for?

While everyone has different needs for their living space, there are a few amenities that seem to be the most popular for renters.

Air conditioning

If you’re on the fence about an apartment, this valuable amenity should seal the deal. Air conditioning is the highest in demand in terms of in-unit amenities. If you live in a climate with hot summers, an AC unit is a luxury you shouldn’t have to live without.

In-unit laundry

If you can find a place with laundry in-unit, you’ve struck gold. A washer and dryer right in your own apartment may cost you more in rent, but most renters agree that the convenience is definitely worth it. Renters also report favoring a stacked washer and dryer over units placed side by side, so look for that if you’re thinking about saving space.

Covered garage

Access to some kind of transportation is vital, but a covered garage will ensure extra security for you and your vehicle. If you’re a frequent commuter, being able to access a garage through your building might make your commute just a bit easier.

Some utilities included

Having to worry about certain utilities such as lawn or snow care can be a real pain. Consider looking for a place with a utility package included in rent. In this case, your landlord handles the labor of certain amenities in exchange for a bump in cost.

Dishwasher

It might seem like a given, but not all units have them. If you hate doing dishes, you will sorely miss a dishwasher if you pass it up during your apartment search.

Fitness center

Whether you’re a fitness buff or trying to find motivation after New Years, a gym in your building is a good thing to have. Definitely consider buildings with community fitness centers if you’re looking to exercise on the reg.

Are amenities free?

Since amenities make your living space more comfortable, you can expect those nonessential comforts to cost a little extra. Sometimes that extra cost comes in the form of an explicit fee—often, parking spaces, gyms, and pet allowances come with fees attached.

Other times landlords will just add the cost of amenities to your rent, bundling in those fees as a part of the apartment’s package. These can include in-unit laundry, a balcony or patio, or smart security systems that come with the place.

Either way, you can expect to see an extra cost for most amenities that add extra value to the property.

How to choose the right kind of home insurance for you

Finding affordable renters insurance

As long as you’re renting, you’ll always have to make compromises. You might have to favor laundry over a dishwasher, or give up a building with a fitness center for one in a better location.

But you shouldn’t have to compromise on your renters insurance coverage. That’s where

Jerry

comes in. Right now, you can download the Jerry app for free and get fast, affordable quotes on renters insurance. You can even bundle your renters insurance with your car insurance for even more savings!

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