For property managers

What amenities do renters actually want in 2026?

There's a difference between amenities that photograph well for a listing and amenities that actually influence whether someone renews their lease. The two lists overlap less than most property teams expect.

What the research says

A National Multifamily Housing Council survey of nearly 120,000 apartment residents, conducted with Kingsley Associates, found that flashy shared spaces like clubhouses and media rooms often get less actual use than residents' tour-day impressions would suggest — while everyday conveniences tend to hold up better over the length of a lease. A separate multifamily amenity survey found reliable cell reception ranked as the single most-valued community amenity among respondents, ahead of pools and fitness centers.

Source: NMHC / Kingsley Associates renter preferences survey · Source: REBusinessOnline, multifamily amenity survey

Convenience beats novelty most of the time

A rooftop deck gets attention during a tour. A reliably fast package system, working laundry machines, and responsive maintenance get mentioned in renewal surveys. The pattern across a lot of resident feedback is consistent: people renew over things that make daily life easier, not things that impress a first-time visitor.

What tends to show up in feedback

Fast, reliable maintenance response — consistently the top driver of renewal satisfaction
Package and delivery handling — especially in buildings with high delivery volume
In-unit or on-site laundry that actually works
Small, always-available conveniences — vending machines, water refill stations, basic common-area comforts

The low-cost amenities are easy to underrate

A vending machine won't headline a leasing brochure, but it's exactly the kind of always-on convenience that shows up in day-to-day resident experience — especially late at night or when nearby stores are closed. It costs the property nothing to add and nothing to maintain.

Where to start if budget is tight

Prioritize the things residents interact with daily over the things they see once during a tour. A working laundry room and a responsive maintenance team will do more for renewals than almost any big-ticket amenity — and a free vending machine is one of the easiest additions on that list.