These days, more and more Americans are turning to multifamily properties for their housing needs. In fact, in 2018, Clarion Partners reported that 43 million American households lived in rental properties. Plus, between 2020 and 2021, the percentage of American renters jumped up 13.7%.

Those numbers represent good news for multifamily property owners with units to fill. But if you want to attract quality apartment complex tenants and retain the ones you already have, you have to remain competitive. That often means offering your residents the finest luxury amenities that they won’t find anywhere else.

When it comes to the best apartment complex amenities, what exactly do renters want? Here’s a complete list of luxury apartment amenities and property management solutions that help residents feel at home—and help you turn your property into a more marketable living space.

The best luxury amenities

When it comes to amenities in apartment buildings and complexes, there are some things that millennial renters expect. On-site laundry facilities, ample community spaces, and designated, secure parking areas are just a few examples of common perks offered by many multifamily properties.

But these days, tenants want more than just a place to wash their clothes and a multi-use clubhouse. Especially when it comes to resident retention ideas, it’s important to realize that your renters want a range of community and in-unit amenities that let them enjoy life and feel at home, no matter where they are on the premises. Here’s how you can give it to them.

Amenities for everyone

Community amenities are a big draw for families and single renters looking for a place to call home. They’re also an ideal way for property owners to create multifamily projects that feel like close-knit communities in their own right—and attract long-term renters.

If you want your multifamily property to feel like the best neighborhood in town, you can’t do without these premier amenities.

Fitness center

Working out is a popular pastime that many look to when developing healthy habits or looking for ways to unwind. But gym memberships are expensive, and millennial renters appreciate the ease, convenience, and cost-free option of working out where they live. That’s why an on-site fitness center routinely ranks among the most desirable apartment amenities available.

But your residents won’t be impressed by a lackluster workout room with little more than a treadmill and a few free weights. Here are the fitness amenities that the best multifamily complexes offer:

• Cardio equipment – Make sure your gym or fitness studio is well-stocked with cardio equipment like treadmills, stationary bikes, and rowing machines so that your residents get a heart-healthy exercise. Keep the equipment up-to-date and in good repair.
• Strength training equipment – From quadriceps and calves to biceps and triceps, it’s essential that your community gym offers comprehensive strength training equipment.
• Fitness classes – Offering regular fitness classes, like yoga, pilates, or aerobics, will not only help your residents stay in shape, but it’ll help them get to know each other, building a stronger sense of community within your building.
• Racquetball court – Renters won’t come by racquetball courts in any old apartment building. Make your property stand out from the crowd by introducing your residents to this fun, fast-paced game.

Outdoor recreation and leisure

Depending on your target demographic, outdoor amenities for leisure and recreation could be some of the first things your renters look for when choosing an apartment. They’re also a clever way to add value to your property as well as some visual flair.

Top outdoor amenities include:

• Swimming pools – A Swimming pool offers a built-in way for residents to relax with family, host social gatherings, and socialize with other residents. Make sure to have plenty of seating, tables, and umbrellas for days with high temperatures and cloudless skies.
• Tennis and basketball courts – Tennis and basketball courts are high-end luxury amenities that only the finest properties offer. Your residents will love having access to these activities without even having to leave the property.
• Patios, courtyards, and barbecue pits – Residents want options for relaxing and entertaining outside. Patios with comfortable furniture, elegantly landscaped courtyards, and community grills are easy ways to achieve this.

Fun and games

More and more, the finest multifamily properties are offering their residents the highest-end on-site entertainment options on the market. Plus, with the COVID-19 pandemic still posing barriers to many public activities, they’re an ideal way for residents to stay safe without sacrificing a good time.

Consider offering:

• Arcade and gaming rooms – From pinball machines and Skee-Ball to the newest in gaming and virtual reality, combining classic arcade games with the newest in video gaming technology is an apartment amenity many renters are happy to pay extra for.
• Screening rooms – Give your residents the option to watch their favorite movies on the big screen with an on-site screening room. Add theater-style seating and an old-fashioned popcorn maker for a truly authentic touch.
• Art rooms – Devote a space for your creative residents to express themselves. Easels for painting and a pottery wheel and kiln for ceramics aren’t your average amenities but ones that can make a big impression.
• Music practice rooms – Musician and non-musician residents alike will appreciate a separate space for practicing instruments. Make it soundproof so as not to disturb residents who may not be keen on becoming involuntary audience members.

Co-working spaces

With more and more residents shifting to remote work, having an at-home office with all the bells and whistles is becoming more of a need than a want. Appeal to the working-from-home demographic by offering common areas like a  community office space that can be shared by professionals who are  looking to build a collaborative space without commuting to an office.

Be sure it’s equipped with high-speed internet, plenty of outlets, and even a conference room with whiteboards, markers, and a projector. Keep it well-stocked with coffee and snacks to keep your tenants comfortable—and impressed.

In-unit amenities

Community amenities are important, but they’re only the beginning. These days, renters have certain expectations when it comes to the home amenities they’re looking for in individual units as well.

From smart security features to gadgets that make life easier—plus a few luxury options you don’t see every day—here are the top perks no luxury apartment amenities list should be without.

Top-notch appliances

Offering convenience amenities and state-of-the-art appliances can woo tenants and increase the value of your rental property. Popular options include:

• In-unit laundry
• Dishwasher
• Smart refrigerator
• Fireplace

Concierge services

Offering luxury concierge services to your residents is a hallmark of the highest-end multifamily properties. From arranging transportation and making dinner reservations to running errands and scheduling social events, top-paying tenants want top-notch services.

Now, there’s an easy way to offer these valuable services to residents. When you partner your multifamily property with Alfred, your tenants have access to our app-based hospitality specialists who perform a variety of services, including:

• Dry cleaning
• Housekeeping
• Grocery delivery
• Package shipment

With an all-in-one Alfred Marketplace at their fingertips, tenants can tap into a trusted network of vendors that do all of the heavy liftings for them.

Smart features

Residents want apartment living to be as automated and optimized as everything else in their lives. That means providing them with the convenience of online options for taking care of regular tasks like:

• Paying rent
• Renewing leases
• Scheduling maintenance requests

It also means that your residents want smart technology that helps keep them safe at home. Security systems and monitors, as well as smart locks, are home amenities these renters may be looking for in order to gain more peace of mind.

Pet-friendly community amenities

Although allowing pets can be a risk to rental property owners, more and more agencies are rethinking their prohibitions against pets in order to cater to their residents’ needs. Some are even embracing the four-legged community with open arms by offering quality amenities with them in mind:

• Dog park/dog run – Devote some outdoor space to your residents’ canine companions by building a dog park, dog run, or both.
• Doggy daycare – Create a safe place for your residents to leave their furry friends while they’re at work during the day.
• Dog grooming spa – You won’t see this one on many apartment amenities lists, making this one an unexpected—but well-received—apartment amenity.

With Alfred, your residents can easily request pet walking, grooming, and boarding—as well as a host of other services.

Alfred—a must-have amenity for luxurious living

Apartment living is growing in popularity, and property owners are scrambling to keep up with the demand for units. 2020 alone saw the construction of an estimated 370,942 new multifamily buildings, with more on the way.

But even with so much demand, property managers need to go above and beyond to attract quality renters to their units—and luxury apartment amenities are one way to do that.

Another way is Alfred. Alfred is the largest resident technology and management platform that enables residents to live seamlessly in a connected community. By matching your residents with qualified hospitality specialists who provide a variety of services from grocery shopping to home cleaning, let your renters experience the luxury of free time by outsourcing tasks to Alfred.

Put your property in the spotlight by partnering with Alfred today.

Sources:

Irei.com. Dec. 2018 Clarion Partners Sponsor Report. https://irei.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Dec-2018-ClarionPartners-SponsorReport.pdf

Multihousingnews.com. 2022 Multifamily Outlook: Robust Growth to Continue. https://www.multihousingnews.com/2022-multifamily-outlook-robust-growth-to-continue/

Buildium.com. 5 Multifamily Housing Trends for Property Managers in 2022. https://www.buildium.com/blog/multifamily-housing-trends-2020/