Top 8 Amenities Renters Can’t Resist in Boston

February 28, 2025

Top 8 Amenities Renters Can’t Resist in Boston

Key Takeaways

• The right amenities keep tenants happy and staying longer – Perks like in-unit laundry, extra storage, and outdoor spaces make your rental more appealing, helping you fill vacancies faster and keep great tenants around.
• Pet-friendly rentals attract more renters – A lot of people have pets, and they’re looking for homes that welcome their furry friends. Setting clear pet policies (like deposits or pet rent) helps you cater to them while protecting your property.
• Safety and convenience matter most – Tenants love features that make life easier, like secure parking, gated access, and in-unit washers and dryers. The safer and more convenient your rental is, the more people will want to live there.
• Well-maintained properties keep tenants coming back – Quick repairs, stylish updates like granite countertops, and good curb appeal make your property stand out. When tenants feel valued, they’re more likely to renew their lease.

Attracting and retaining tenants is a key recipe to your success as a Boston landlord. Purchasing the appropriate facilities is the best ways to achieve this. But with so many options, how do you know which ones are worth investing in?

Fortunately, this guide by J. Butler Property Management has you covered. The following are the top 8 amenities renters can’t resist in Boston.

Rental Amenities – What Are They?

These are non-essential features that a landlord can provide a tenant with. They can include things like secured parking, laundry rooms, flexible pet policies, granite countertops, and children’s playgrounds. Investing in the right ones can help make your property stand out from the competition.

As a result, you may have an easier time finding quality tenants and retaining them over multiple leases. This is key to maximizing your rental’s ROI. Not all amenities are created the same, though! Renters may find some items to be more valuable than others, depending on their specific needs. For example, a renter without a car will find no value in having secured parking.

As such, make sure to consider a few things before deciding on what exactly to include in your rental. Such as preferences, behaviors, and demographics.  With that in mind, let’s now look at the top amenities that renters can’t resist in Boston.

Top 8 Amenities Renters Can’t Resist in Boston

Flexible Pet Policies

America is a nation of pet owners. And because pet owners consider their fluffy friends as part of their family, they will be looking for a pet-friendly home in their next rental search.  With that said, allowing pets isn’t without certain risks. For example, the risk of damage exceeding normal wear and tear.

Fortunately, you can cover the risks by having a pet policy. In the policy, you can specify things like:

• Number, type, and size of pets allowed.
• Pet rent, pet fees, or a pet deposit.
• Requirement for renter’s insurance with liability coverage for pet-related incidents.

Extra Storage Spaces

Another way to impress a quality tenant is by providing them with extra storage spaces. These can be in the form of walk-in closets and built-in storage spaces like large pantries and kitchen cabinets. Fortunately, even without walk-in closets, it’s still possible to build one into your rental property.

Granite Countertops

A home’s kitchen is its heart, and how it looks and feels can make all the difference when it comes to attracting and retaining quality tenants. As a landlord, your goal here would be to make it modern and attractive. One feature that can help you in this regard is granite countertops. These are durable and low maintenance, keeping the cost of repairs and replacement low.

Another desirable amenity to include in the kitchen is stainless steel appliances. These, too, can help you bring modernity and elegance to your kitchen. In addition to helping make the kitchen stand out, these amenities can also help you charge more rent.

Ample Parking

The last thing a tenant wishes to do is spend half an hour looking for a parking spot. So, if you provide one, that can help you attract and retain a high-quality tenant. This amenity is especially popular in urban areas, where there is limited space.

Outdoor Spaces

The outdoor spaces are equally important when it comes to improving your property’s desirability. Unfortunately, this is one area that landlords often neglect. Quality renters usually appreciate outdoor spaces like a roof garden, balcony, small patio, and a fenced yard.

These spaces are especially important during the warm, sunny seasons. Other special amenities you could consider providing renters with include a swimming pool, outdoor furniture, a dog park, and a fire pit.

Don’t forget the curb appeal, too. The following are some of the things that you could do in this regard.

• Maintain the landscaping. You could do this by doing things like trimming bushes and shrubs, keeping the lawn mowed and edged, and clearing debris.
• Update the exterior look. Aside from repainting the walls, you could also make needed repairs and replacements. For example, replacing old or damaged siding or cracks in the walkway or driveway.
• Add some outdoor features, such as a porch swing, a birdbath, or a fence.
• Clean the property thoroughly.
• Give walls a fresh coat of new paint.

Security & Safety

Much like everyone else, tenants want to feel safe in your property. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise why tenants prioritize safety when looking for the next apartment to rent. Gated access is one of the most sought-after features that tenants search for.

But other than that, quality tenants will also appreciate a home that has things like automatic locking doors, alarm systems, and security systems. Make sure your property abides by the local safety codes as spelled out under the state and local habitability codes.

In-Unit Washer & Dryer

This is a major convenience for renters. It’ll save them that weekly trip down to the laundromat. Just make sure to do proper due diligence before buying and inspect them regularly before, during, and after their tenancy.

Repairs & Maintenance

Renters want to live in a well-maintained unit, where repairs are handled promptly by the landlord. In Boston, landlords must make repairs within 14 days after proper notification. Tenants must request repairs and maintenance in writing. Verbal notices simply won’t hold unless the lease specifies otherwise.

Conclusion

There you have it – the top 8 amenities that your Boston tenants will find irresistible. These can help you improve your ROI by filling vacancies quickly and retaining tenants longer.

J. Butler Property Management is an invaluable partner to have as a landlord in Boston, MA. Our full-service property management services can help take your property to the next level. Get in touch today to learn more!