As anyone who has ever rented an apartment can attest to, the cost of apartment living is way more than just paying rent every month. There are a number of fees and charges payable both one time at move-in and recurring monthly.
Upon applying for your apartment, you may be on the hook for an application fee, background check fee and credit check fee. At lease signing, you might need to hand over even more fees like a security deposit, first and last month’s rent, pet fees and even a move-in fee. And each month, you will have to budget for third-party utilities like electricity, internet, water, cable and gas.
But that’s often not where charges end. Your landlord may be charging for more than the privilege of residing, above and beyond move-in costs and monthly rent. These are amenity fees.
What is an amenity fee?
Any additional fees above your rent can be considered an amenity fee. These are extra charges usually covering more modern-day resident benefits, conveniences either in your apartment or in common areas that enhance your apartment living experience.
Some landlords have been charging renters small, specific amenity fees for decades. Think extra costs for necessities like trash removal or parking, similar to HOA fees. But over the last few years, more amenity fees have been popping up to cover the costs of highly coveted perks that would be considered higher than the standard.
What perks are amenity fees for?
Referring to a perk as an amenity is a very general term. Nearly anything above a place to sleep and utilities can be considered an amenity. Common low-level amenities that could require a fee are standard facility items like access to a fitness center, clubhouse, rooftop, swimming pool, storage or a bike room.
However, an amenity fee is usually charged for what many would consider luxury items, often through newer technology or additional services that demand specialized apartment staff or rooms. Among the most desired tenant amenities, according to a survey from the National Multifamily Housing Council, are:
- Video security intercoms
- Dog-washing stations
- Dog-walking services
- Valet trash service
- Electric car charging stations
- Bike-share programs
- On-site massage
- Door-to-door grocery delivery
- Package lockers
- Smart thermostats
- Gated access
- Mobile app access and rent pay-by-app
- Covered parking
How much is an amenity fee?
An amenity fee can come in one of two forms: charged entirely upfront or as an additional monthly charge (or occasionally both). But landlords don’t always have to separate out amenity fees. They can often be folded into a higher monthly rent. Amenity fees should be asked about when first negotiating rent at lease signing.
Typically, one-time charges for amenities at signing run between $100 and $500. When charged monthly, they are usually about $30 to $50 on top of rent. Some amenities may have specific, dedicated fees (like gym access or a pool pass), but most amenities are combined into one charge covering a number of smaller perks.
Unfortunately, most amenity fees are charged whether you use the amenities or not. However, some landlords will allow tenants to opt out of fees for some amenities with denial-of-access measures.
Are amenity fees worth it?
Not all apartments charge an amenity fee. If they do, it will typically be simpler perks like parking and gym membership. But the list of all amenities is long and growing every day. The higher-end amenities are found in pricier buildings, in newer construction, in massive complexes or proximate to downtowns.
It is up to you to decide whether paying amenity fees above monthly rent is worth your time and budget. Look for notations about amenity fee charges while searching for your next apartment right now on Apartment Guide.