If you have a house that you rent out, you might be wondering, what are renters’ favorite amenities? When someone rents a home, what is most important to them to find in the apartment, house or on the property? Not too surprisingly, the most important amenity to renters is high speed internet access.
A survey by National Multifamily Housing Council and Kingsley Associates recently found which are renters’ favorite amenities. These aspects of a property are the most valuable for renters as well as homeowners. The survey showed which amenities renters were most willing to pay more for.
Overall, renters have practical desires.
“Magnificent clubhouses and media rooms may look great on tours, for both prospective residents and equity investors, but they often don’t get used as much as you’d think,” says Jay Denton, senior vice president for research and analytics for apartment data firm Axiometrics.
The list of renters’ favorite amenities:
- Fast Internet access
- Parking
- Walk-in closets
- Soundproof walls
- Private outdoor spaces, such as patios or a balcony
- Washer/dryer in unit
- Microwave
- Refrigerator water/ice dispenser
Eighty percent of respondents also said they want their rental to have a pool and they would pay more for one.
“It’s all about an extra place to hang out with your friends,” says Denton. “I’ve seen more cabanas and other gathering spots near the pool so that it has some functionality during the winter.”
Besides these amenities, location never stops being important. Renters want a convenient location. More than half of renters said they would prefer to live within walking distance of a grocery store or neighborhood restaurant.
If you are a homeowner looking to improve your rental property, these tips about renters’ favorite amenities should be helpful. If you are a renter and see amenities you want in your next rental home, check out all the great rentals available from RE/MAX Paradise.