Back-to-Basics Amenities: A Potential Tenant Retention Strategy

Features January 17, 2025| | Amy Wolff Sorter

In recent years, apartment amenities have been extravagant and elaborate. Luxury properties, specifically, have seen a rise in features ranging from screening rooms to golf simulators, crystal lagoons, and podcast recording studios.

But that could be changing.

“As the cost of living continues to rise, residents are placing greater value on amenities that bring convenience and utility to their everyday lives,” Jonathan Treble, founder and CEO of WithMe, a multifamily amenity solutions company, told ApartmentBuildings.com. Golf simulators and cold plunges can be a lot of fun. “They don’t necessarily simplify or improve day-to-day living for most residents,” Treble added.

Additionally, Treble noted that the demand for convenience-based amenities versus luxury options continues to “reshape amenity offerings across all classes. ”

Back to Basics

WithMe recently surveyed over 2,000 multifamily residents on features they like to see in their apartment complexes. While fitness centers came in on top, 25% of those asked put lobby-based coffee stations firmly in second place. Treble explained that these results support tenant desires for more practical features that help enhance and improve everyday routines.

Other in-demand features are printers and printing stations. “Most residents prefer not to deal with the hassle or expense of owning and maintaining a printer,” Treble said. “The convenience of walking downstairs to quickly print a document, without the need to troubleshoot an “error” notification on the machine or the expense of buying ink, offers convenience and helps save costs.”

Even as the demand for practical, time-saving and cost-saving apartment features increases, the yoga studios and fitness centers aren’t going away. “Again, these are essentials that align with residents’ daily habits and lifestyle preferences,” Treble pointed out. “These everyday conveniences simplify routines and enhance overall satisfaction.”

Apartment Feature Findings

Treble advised landlords, building owners and property managers to consider what residents want when determining extras and add-ons to properties. Resist the temptation to invest in trend-driven amenities. These might look great in theory, but in reality, they might not deliver meaningful value to tenants.

“Consider prioritizing practical amenities that simplify life, encourage community engagement, and that will see consistent use,” Treble said. Adding useful features, including co-working spaces, self-serve coffee stations, printers and others, can help improve residents’ experiences. “This can boost retention while creating a living environment that residents are proud to call home,” Treble said.

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Back-to-Basics Amenities: A Potential Tenant Retention Strategy

Other Features

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Multifamily Deals Span California, Carolinas and Beyond

Brokers

Remax Real Estate Professionals

Jared Ennis

Rick Recckio

Greg Corbin

Lenders

Management

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

Josh A

Bob Tuteur

Andrew Schildcrout