When searching for an apartment, you have specific needs your potential living space must 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 with a multitude of additional amenities and features that may make the property more or less desirable to you. Read on for some of the most important amenities to have in your apartment to help you determine what to look for in your new rental!
Secure entrance
The most important feature in any building is safety. Buildings or communities 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 the only people entering are residents and invited guests.
24-hour emergency maintenanceIf a pipe bursts and floods your bathroom at 2 a.m., you want someone available to fix it. Having a live-in superintendent or 24-hour maintenance service for your complex eliminates hassles from broken appliances, malfunctioning plumbing, or other mishaps.
On-site managementHaving 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, file noise complaints, or report maintenance issues facilitates resolving the matter. If you have to call an apartment manager, leave messages, or deal with the run-around from a receptionist, your repairs or other important issues may not be resolved for days.
Balcony or patioIt's always great to have private outdoor space to enjoy fresh air or have a drink with friends. Many apartments offer a balcony, patio, stoop or even a small yard space so that you can step out your door to enjoy the beautiful weather. Many complexes also feature a shared outdoor space, such as a garden or courtyard for residents to enjoy.
On-site laundry Having a laundry room in your complex eliminates the annoying chore of hauling baskets of laundry to your car, driving to the laundromat, and sitting in the establishment waiting for your cycle to be complete. Even better than an on-site laundry facility? A washer and dryer right inside your unit.
Storage Apartment storage is rarely significant, but some buildings provide more space than others. Multiple roomy closets will come in handy if you are a shopaholic--you will need somewhere 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. 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.