What Are Apartment Amenities? (Including 8 Must-Haves)

Apartment amenities are any extra features or services offered by your apartment complex. These days, finding an apartment often means scouring the internet for units that offer the best amenities.

You already know you need to cover the basics—a full bathroom, a kitchen setup, and room to sleep in—but what about the rest?

Whether you’re interested in resort-style pools or 24/7 door service, there are a host of amenities designed to make renting easier and more enjoyable.

Landlords and property managers ultimately decide which amenities to include. Be sure to discuss the amenities the building and unit offer before signing a lease agreement.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about apartment amenities and which ones are right for you. We've also included 54 great amenities across two categories (community and in-unit).

Guide to Apartment Amenities

Key Takeaways:

Apartment amenities are non-essential features or services that make your living experience easier or more comfortable

They fall into two categories:

• In-unit amenities (inside your apartment)
• Community amenities (shared amongst the building)

Amenities aren’t free. They’re usually built into your rent or added as monthly fees. More amenities typically mean higher rent or extra charges, such as parking, EV, charging, or pet access.

Are Apartment Amenities Free?

No. Most amenities are included in your rent or come with added fees. You normally won't see a separate charge for amenities advertised on an apartment's website.

Apartment upgrades, like new appliances, should be included in listing price. In fact, apartment complexes with amenities can charge a higher rent price because of the perks they offer, which is why you'll often see higher prices for apartments that have smaller units but nice features (like new appliances, wood floors, or gyms).

What Are Community Amenities?

Community amenities are shared amenities that landlords offer to all residents of the building or property. However, some buildings partner with nearby businesses, like gyms, to offer complimentary memberships. Here are some community amenities to look for in your apartment search.

Community Amenities (A-Z)

• Assigned parking (reserved parking, covered parking)
• Bike storage (bike rooms, repair stations)
• Clubhouse (resident lounge)
• Co-working space (business center)
• Community garden
• Dof park (dog run, pet areas)
• EV charging stations
• Fitness centers (gym, yoga room)
• Gated access (security-controlled entry)
• Guest parking
• Laundry facilities
• Media room (theater room)
• Package lockers
• Playground
• Pool
• Rooftop deck
• Security (doorman, security guards)
• Valet trash service

What are Common In-Unit Amenities?

Apartment amenities are amenities located inside your rental unit. They can only be utilized by you or your guests.

In-Unit Amenities (A-Z)

• Air conditioning
• Balcony or patio
• Dishwasher
• Energy-efficient appliances
• Fireplace
• Hardwood floors
• High-speed internet access
• In-unit laundry (washer/dryer)
• Large closets (walk-in closets, storage)
• Natural light (large windows)
• Smart home features

What Are the Most Important Apartment Amenities?

Look for apartment amenities that support or enhance your lifestyle.

Here are some of the most sought-after amenities:

• In-Unit Laundry: Can save you a few hours per week and anywhere from $20 to $40 per month vs. laundromats.
• Air Conditioning: Keeps your space comfortable (especially if you live in a hot climate) and reduces reliance on fans or portable units.
• Fitness Centers: Can replace a $30 to $100 per month gym membership and save commute time.
• Dishwasher: Uses less water than hand washing and cuts daily cleanup time
• Secure Parking: Reduces risk of theft and can save you hundreds per month vs. street or paid parking.
• Natural Light (Large windows): Can improve your mood and reduce daily electricity use.
• Online Rent Payments: Saves time and reduces the risk of missed payments.
• Pet-Friendly: Essential if you have a pet, but make sure to check breed or size restrictions before signing a lease.

Quick Amenities Glossary

Some amenity terms might sound the same but mean completely different things. Here are a few examples:

• In-Unit vs. On-Site Laundry: In-unit is inside your apartment. On-site is shared in the building.
• Assigned vs. Reserved vs. Covered Parking: Assigned = specific spot Reserved = guaranteed access Covered = protected from the weather
• Doorman vs. Security: A Doorman manages entry and packages Security focuses on safety monitoring
• EV Charging Levels: Level 1 = slow (3 to 5 miles per hour) Level 2 = standard (15 to 40 miles per hour) Level 3 = fast (150 to 300 miles in 30 minutes)
• Valet Trash: Trash collected outside your door on a schedule
• Co-Working vs. Business Center Co-Working = flexible shared workspace Business center = basic desks/computers

What Do Amenities Really Cost?

Here’s what you can expect:

• EV Charging: Can increase your rent by around 15.5% or $245 more per month.
• Parking (garage, covered, assigned): Can vary by market. One parking industry guide shows around $50 per month for surface parking or $100 per month for a gated garage.
• Pool Access: Typically built into the rent rather than charged as a standalone fee. In the same national amenities study, pools were associated with about a 7.5% premium.
• Fitness Center: Gyms are usually folded into rent instead of billed separately. The same study found that they’re typically associated with a 7.2% premium.
• Pet Policies: Pet costs usually come as a monthly pet rent plus either a pet deposit or a pet fee. Recent rental-industry sources put average pet rent around $25 to $50 per month, with average pet deposits often landing between $100 and $600.
• In-Unit Laundry: In-unit laundry usually costs more than shared laundry. The Sally found that it’s around $50 to $150 extra per month.

Note that none of these costs are exact, as they depend on the city, the building, and several other variables.

Which Amenities Make Sense for Your Lifestyle?

The best way to pick the amenities you need is to think about how you live day to day.

Here’s a quick decision guide to help you out:

• Remote Worker: In-unit laundry, co-working space, high-speed internet
• Commuter: Parking, transit access, bike storage
• Pet Owner: Pet-friendly policies, dog run, nearby green space
• Budget-Focused Renter: Dishwasher, laundry, basic storage
• Social/Entertaining: Rooftop, lounge, guest parking

Need Help Finding the Right Apartment?

Though apartment amenities are considered nonessential, there's no denying that they make your life easier and more enjoyable. Whether it's a short elevator ride down to the fitness center or folding your freshly washed laundry from the comfort of your couch, many apartment amenities are worth the extra cost.

That said, it can be a major challenge to sift through all the vacant apartments looking for one that meets all your needs, from rent cost to amenities—that's where Apartment List comes in. We’ll make it easy for you to find your dream apartment, with all the amenities you want. Get started by answering a few simple questions about what area you're looking in and the amenities you'd like to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions About Apartment Amenities

What are the basic necessities for an apartment?

When moving to a new apartment, you’ll need essentials such as a bed, pillows, sheets, kitchen supplies, and toiletries. Those are the bare bones necessities, while other items like lamps, nightstands, bathmats, and more can be added later.

Apartments are also typically equipped with basic amenities. Many apartments offer in-unit laundry, dishwashers, parking areas, and storage space.

Do all apartments include amenities?

Many apartments include amenities, but these amenities will vary from one apartment to another. Some include features like in-unit laundry, while others may offer more luxurious amenities, such as a pool or pet grooming spa.

What are common apartment amenities?

Standard apartment amenities include a dishwasher, appliances, air conditioning, in-unit or in-building laundry, and closet or storage space.

Do apartments with amenities cost more than standard apartments?

Yes, apartments with more amenities, and particularly those with luxury amenities, command higher price tags. Renters end up paying more for rent to cover the “cost” of amenities. According to Murphy & Prachthauser, EV charging increases rent prices by 15.54% ($245 more per month), while other amenities, such as a pool, raise rent by 7.5% ($118 more per month), and balconies/patios raise it by only 4.94% ($78 more per month).