When searching for an apartment, there are specific needs your potential living
space will need to fulfill--price range, size, and location are usually the main
things we look for when seeking a rental. However, apartment buildings and
complexes often come equipped with a multitude of additional amenities and
features that may make the property more or less desirable to you. This guide
will list some of the most popular and sought-after apartment building amenities
so that you can decide which ones are essential to you for your apartment
search.
Secure Entrance
The most important feature in any building is safety. Buildings with
unlocked main entries grant access to burglars and other undesirables. Your
apartment complex should feature either a gated entry, keyless-entry codes or
passes, call-boxes for visitors or a doorman to ensure that the only people
gaining entrance to the building are residents and their invited guests.
Security cameras are a plus, as well.
24-Hour Emergency Maintenance
If a pipe bursts and floods your
bathroom at 2 a.m., it would help if there was someone available to fix it.
Having a live-in superintendent or 24-hour maintenance service for your complex
is optimum to avoid frustrating hassles that can result from broken appliances,
malfunctioning plumbing, or other mishaps. If there is no maintenance on-site at
all times, you could wind up roasting in your apartment during a 90-degree heat
wave for an entire weekend when your air-conditioner breaks down.
On-Site Management
Having a property manager that lives in the
complex or has designated office hours each day makes handling important
apartment-related matters much easier. Having the opportunity to walk to the
rental office to ask important questions , pay your rent, lodge noise
complaints, or report maintenance issues will facilitate resolving the matter.
If you have to attempt to call an apartment manager, leave messages, or deal
with the run-around from a receptionist, your necessary repairs or other
pertinent issues may not be dealt with for days.
Imminent Parking
Access to parking in close proximity to your
apartment is a much-desired convenience for many renters. Nobody wants to hunt
for a spot after a long day at work or walk a half of a mile to their building
lugging hags of heavy groceries. Some buildings do not have their own lot, and
simply provide a permit for street parking. This can be rather inconvenient if
you arrive home after the majority of other residents and all the prime spots
are taken. Ideally, your building should provide you with on-site parking and
one assigned spot close to your unit. You may even opt to seek a building that
is equipped with a covered parking garage.
Balcony or Patio
Apartment living can grow restrictive--it's always a plus to have
some private outdoor space to enjoy some fresh air or have a beer with friends.
Many apartment offer a balcony, patio, stoop or even a small yard space so that
you can simply step out your door to enjoy the beautiful weather rather than
having to leave your building to seek out a nice quiet place to relax. Many
complexes will also feature a shared outdoor space, such as a garden or
courtyard for residents to enjoy.
On-Site Laundry Facility
Easily one of the most sought-after
amenities, having a laundry room in your complex eradicates the burdensome chore
of hauling baskets of laundry to your car, driving to the laundromat, and then
being forced to sit in the seedy establishment while you wait for your cycle to
be complete. Even more convenient than an on-site laundry facility? A washer and
dryer right inside your unit.
Elevator
Trudging up and down several flights of stairs gets
tiresome quickly--especially if you are armed with several sacks of groceries or
other heavy items. If you are located on a higher floor in a larger building, an
elevator is a highly-appreciated convenience. Unless you appreciate the heavy
leg workout treading up the stairs will give you every day, be sure the
nine-story apartment building you are moving into is equipped with an elevator.
Storage Space
Apartment storage is rarely adequate, but some buildings certainly
provide more space than others. Multiple roomy closets will come in handy if you
are a retail junkie--you will need some place to store your many pairs of shoes.
Even if you are a minimalist, there's likely to be some sentimental possessions
you have held onto, such as boxes of old family photos. If you are the athletic
type, you may need a place to stash your bicycle, snowboard or skis. In addition
to closet space, some apartments also offer access to basement storage for bulky
items you can't find a place for in your unit.
Pool/Gym
While not considered a necessary amenity for many
renters, access to a pool, gym, or other recreational facility on the property
is quite a luxury. It eliminates the added monthly cost of paying for an outside
membership (although you will likely pay higher rent to compensate) and adds the
convenience of having these facilities so close to home. It's also a great way
to get in shape and meet other people in your building.