Top Amenities to Look for When Renting: How to Find Your Dream Space
Aug 1, 2024
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Finding the perfect rental unit can be an exciting yet difficult task. Whether looking for your first rental or upgrading your current living situation, finding the perfect amenities can make all the difference.
We’re here to help you identify which amenities to look for in your next apartment or condo to make it feel more like home.
What Are Apartment Amenities?
Amenities are not considered essential for a rental, but they make living in the rental unit easier and much more enjoyable. A few examples are an in-unit washer and dryer, a dishwasher, a pool, a workout room, and an outdoor space. You can live without them, but they make life so much easier.
To make your apartment search easier, make a list of amenities you’d like to have in your unit and in the building. Amenities can impact the monthly rent, as the more the building has, the higher the rent (in some cases).
Sometimes, you can pay extra for amenities such as a parking space or pet fee instead of paying for it in the monthly rent.
Top Apartment Amenities to Look for When Renting
These are the top amenities you should consider looking for when renting a condo or modern apartment building.
Appliances
Dishwasher
If you cook a lot, having a dishwasher in your unit can make life much easier. Washing dishes by hand can take up a lot of time and energy, and it’s a common source of roommate arguments. Thankfully, dishwashers are usually a standard feature in most modern rental units.
Washer and Dryer
An in-unit washer and dryer is one of the most sought-after apartment amenities. After all, who wants to lug their huge bag of laundry downstairs or to a laundromat and wait for it to be done?
Most newer condos have washers and dryers in the units, but some older buildings have paid laundry machines in the basement.
For most renters, convenience tops everything. There’s nothing better than throwing your laundry in the wash at a time that suits you and getting something else done around the house.
Range Oven
A range oven is a 2-in-1 appliance that combines a cooktop and an oven. It is standard in most rental units; however, some smaller apartments may only have an induction burner, a cooktop, or a very small oven.
Students may be fine with a smaller oven or cooktop, but if you cook often, you’ll likely need a full range oven in your apartment.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is either included in rent or paid separately. Most newer condos and apartments have central air conditioning, but some older ones don’t, so you’ll have to buy one.
This amenity is essential in a city like Toronto or New York during the sweltering summer months.
Common Areas
Workout Room
For those who like to stay fit, the convenience of having a gym in the building is unparalleled. This will save you money on a gym membership, and you can work out at any time of day that’s convenient for you.
A workout room in the building is one of the top amenities renters look for, especially when they have to drive to the gym in a big city.
Pool
Although not an essential amenity, having a pool in the building or on the rooftop adds a touch of luxury to apartment living. It can be a great amenity if you have guests over or if you like to swim.
Indoor pools give you the flexibility to swim all year round, whereas rooftop pools are generally only open during the summer months.
Coworking Space
For those who work from home and like a change of scenery, a coworking or common space is essential. Not only will you have a space to work from right in your building, but you’ll also be able to meet people and even bring guests there.
Additionally, some condos offer amenities like wifi throughout the building, meeting rooms, and hotdesks. This also saves you money as you won’t have to work from coffee shops or a paid coworking space.
Games/Party Room
Party rooms are a common amenity in most apartments and condos. They generally have chairs, tables, a projector, and space for dancing. Some even have a pool table, card games, a TV, and more.
If you plan to host large gatherings, a games or party room is a great amenity to look for, but it is not essential for everyone.
Rooftop or Outdoor Space
Having an outdoor space, whether a garden or a rooftop lounge, is a fantastic amenity. You can bring your friends over for parties and BBQs while soaking up the sun and fresh air. It can also be a great place to meet other people living in your building.
Photo by Adrien Olichon on Unsplash
Other Amenities
Shared Walls
Apartments often have shared walls between renters. If you want privacy or don’t want to hear what your neighbours are getting up to, it’s worth looking into whether your unit has shared walls.
Balcony
If you live in a high-rise building, it can be nice to have a private balcony with a good view of the city. It also adds a little bit more space to your apartment where you can hang out and enjoy a nice meal or drink with friends.
Pets
Pet owners should enquire whether the unit they are looking to rent is pet-friendly. Some landlords allow pets, while others don’t.
Some buildings also have outdoor amenities like walking paths, on-site dog parks, and doggy bag stations.
Parking Space
If you have a car and don’t want to park it elsewhere or use public transit, a parking space in the building is a must. Underground and assigned parking spaces are popular amenities renters look for.
If a parking space is included but you don’t use it, you can rent it out for a small cost.
Walk-In Closet
Couples moving in together or those with many clothes often look for a walk-in closet. It could also double as a changing room or storage space for other things.
However, a walk-in closet shouldn’t be a big priority, as it’s only really found in cities with larger apartments.
Storage Locker
If you have a bike or a lot of large things you don’t have space for in your apartment, a storage locker is a great amenity to look for. It’s often included in condo buildings, and if you don’t use it, you can rent it out.
Questions to Ask When Renting An Apartment
Depending on the kinds of amenities you’re looking for, here are a few questions you should ask when renting an apartment in Canada:
Does the rent include utilities like water, heating, and air conditioning?
Are there any fees for using the games room or coworking space?
Is the building pet-friendly?
What appliances are included in the unit?
What is the guest policy?
Are there restrictions on roommates?
Is there a storage locker and parking space?
These rental search engines can help you filter by amenities so you can find the best rental properties.
If you’re ready to start applying for rental units, check out our comprehensive guide on how to do so in Canada.
We all know that renting in Canada is expensive. If you pay a lot of money every month, why not get rewarded for it? With Chexy, you can pay rent with your credit card and earn rewards on it.
Subscribe to our newsletter below for up-to-date credit card, travel, and rental content.
Finding the perfect rental unit can be an exciting yet difficult task. Whether looking for your first rental or upgrading your current living situation, finding the perfect amenities can make all the difference.
We’re here to help you identify which amenities to look for in your next apartment or condo to make it feel more like home.
What Are Apartment Amenities?
Amenities are not considered essential for a rental, but they make living in the rental unit easier and much more enjoyable. A few examples are an in-unit washer and dryer, a dishwasher, a pool, a workout room, and an outdoor space. You can live without them, but they make life so much easier.
To make your apartment search easier, make a list of amenities you’d like to have in your unit and in the building. Amenities can impact the monthly rent, as the more the building has, the higher the rent (in some cases).
Sometimes, you can pay extra for amenities such as a parking space or pet fee instead of paying for it in the monthly rent.
Top Apartment Amenities to Look for When Renting
These are the top amenities you should consider looking for when renting a condo or modern apartment building.
Appliances
Dishwasher
If you cook a lot, having a dishwasher in your unit can make life much easier. Washing dishes by hand can take up a lot of time and energy, and it’s a common source of roommate arguments. Thankfully, dishwashers are usually a standard feature in most modern rental units.
Washer and Dryer
An in-unit washer and dryer is one of the most sought-after apartment amenities. After all, who wants to lug their huge bag of laundry downstairs or to a laundromat and wait for it to be done?
Most newer condos have washers and dryers in the units, but some older buildings have paid laundry machines in the basement.
For most renters, convenience tops everything. There’s nothing better than throwing your laundry in the wash at a time that suits you and getting something else done around the house.
Range Oven
A range oven is a 2-in-1 appliance that combines a cooktop and an oven. It is standard in most rental units; however, some smaller apartments may only have an induction burner, a cooktop, or a very small oven.
Students may be fine with a smaller oven or cooktop, but if you cook often, you’ll likely need a full range oven in your apartment.
Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is either included in rent or paid separately. Most newer condos and apartments have central air conditioning, but some older ones don’t, so you’ll have to buy one.
This amenity is essential in a city like Toronto or New York during the sweltering summer months.
Common Areas
Workout Room
For those who like to stay fit, the convenience of having a gym in the building is unparalleled. This will save you money on a gym membership, and you can work out at any time of day that’s convenient for you.
A workout room in the building is one of the top amenities renters look for, especially when they have to drive to the gym in a big city.
Pool
Although not an essential amenity, having a pool in the building or on the rooftop adds a touch of luxury to apartment living. It can be a great amenity if you have guests over or if you like to swim.
Indoor pools give you the flexibility to swim all year round, whereas rooftop pools are generally only open during the summer months.
Coworking Space
For those who work from home and like a change of scenery, a coworking or common space is essential. Not only will you have a space to work from right in your building, but you’ll also be able to meet people and even bring guests there.
Additionally, some condos offer amenities like wifi throughout the building, meeting rooms, and hotdesks. This also saves you money as you won’t have to work from coffee shops or a paid coworking space.
Games/Party Room
Party rooms are a common amenity in most apartments and condos. They generally have chairs, tables, a projector, and space for dancing. Some even have a pool table, card games, a TV, and more.
If you plan to host large gatherings, a games or party room is a great amenity to look for, but it is not essential for everyone.
Rooftop or Outdoor Space
Having an outdoor space, whether a garden or a rooftop lounge, is a fantastic amenity. You can bring your friends over for parties and BBQs while soaking up the sun and fresh air. It can also be a great place to meet other people living in your building.
Photo by Adrien Olichon on Unsplash
Other Amenities
Shared Walls
Apartments often have shared walls between renters. If you want privacy or don’t want to hear what your neighbours are getting up to, it’s worth looking into whether your unit has shared walls.
Balcony
If you live in a high-rise building, it can be nice to have a private balcony with a good view of the city. It also adds a little bit more space to your apartment where you can hang out and enjoy a nice meal or drink with friends.
Pets
Pet owners should enquire whether the unit they are looking to rent is pet-friendly. Some landlords allow pets, while others don’t.
Some buildings also have outdoor amenities like walking paths, on-site dog parks, and doggy bag stations.
Parking Space
If you have a car and don’t want to park it elsewhere or use public transit, a parking space in the building is a must. Underground and assigned parking spaces are popular amenities renters look for.
If a parking space is included but you don’t use it, you can rent it out for a small cost.
Walk-In Closet
Couples moving in together or those with many clothes often look for a walk-in closet. It could also double as a changing room or storage space for other things.
However, a walk-in closet shouldn’t be a big priority, as it’s only really found in cities with larger apartments.
Storage Locker
If you have a bike or a lot of large things you don’t have space for in your apartment, a storage locker is a great amenity to look for. It’s often included in condo buildings, and if you don’t use it, you can rent it out.
Questions to Ask When Renting An Apartment
Depending on the kinds of amenities you’re looking for, here are a few questions you should ask when renting an apartment in Canada:
Does the rent include utilities like water, heating, and air conditioning?
Are there any fees for using the games room or coworking space?
Is the building pet-friendly?
What appliances are included in the unit?
What is the guest policy?
Are there restrictions on roommates?
Is there a storage locker and parking space?
These rental search engines can help you filter by amenities so you can find the best rental properties.
If you’re ready to start applying for rental units, check out our comprehensive guide on how to do so in Canada.
We all know that renting in Canada is expensive. If you pay a lot of money every month, why not get rewarded for it? With Chexy, you can pay rent with your credit card and earn rewards on it.
Subscribe to our newsletter below for up-to-date credit card, travel, and rental content.