Turfed pet areas, co-working spaces, and community happy hours are pulling the interest of renters over typical amenities of a fitness center and pool. According to a new analysis of nearly 5.6 million Zillow Rental listings, off-street parking and in-unit laundry are the most in-demand rental features.
The two amenities contributed to nearly twice as many saves and shares per day, with listings that mention off-street parking getting 85% more saves and 103% more shares per day and in-unit laundry getting 78% more daily saves and 92% more shares per day.
“Renters are spending more money and more time in the rental market than ever before, making them more intentional about the spaces they choose,” says Emily McDonald, Zillow’s rental trends expert. “They are prioritizing practical amenities while also seeking community-focused perks like co-working spaces and social events. These features offer a balance of convenience and lifestyle enhancement, making renters more willing to invest in homes that cater to both their everyday needs and social lives.”
Following off-street parking and in-unit laundry, a pet-friendly patch of turf can boost daily saves by 76% and daily shares by 91%. Air filtration, popularized during the pandemic and increasingly important as more areas feel the impact of wildfire smoke, can help a rental get 72% more saves and 79% more shares per day, Zillow reports. Advertised happy hours for residents get 50% more daily saves and 67% more daily shares.
In contrast, buildings with the usual luxury amenities might have to work harder to compete. Rentals that highlight a fitness center now get 26% fewer saves and 31% fewer shares per day compared with similar listings. Pools contribute to 10% fewer daily saves and 13% fewer daily shares. Rentals with a business center get 24% fewer saves and 27% fewer shares per day.
"Renters who are looking at higher-end rentals may expect a suite of amenities,” says McDonald. “Some features, such as a fitness center, don't stand on their own but are most often paired with other desirable amenities, such as a playground, or a tennis or sport court. Every renter will have their own priorities so it's important for a property manager or landlord to list everything a unit has to offer."
For example, bowling alleys can contribute to 30% more saves and 37% more shares per day, and a putting green can contribute to 25% more daily saves and 40% more daily shares. Additionally, modern farmhouse features like butcher-block countertops and barn doors add up to over 55% more saves and about 70% more shares per day.
