3 Things Residents Look for in the Laundry Room at Apartment Complexes

Everyone needs to do laundry. That's why it's no surprise that laundry is a top amenity renters are looking for. However, in today's fast-paced and competitive real estate market, simply offering washers and dryers is not enough. Landlords and property owners need to provide a community laundry space that residents will actually want to use. As people research and tour various apartment complexes, here are a few of the things they're looking for when it comes to laundry…

1. Cleanliness.

Due to busy schedules and other pressing obligations, many landlords and property managers let cleanliness slide in common areas of the complex (like laundry rooms). Making cleanliness a priority in these spaces is so important and can help set you apart. A clean laundry room shows you take pride in your building and provides a subtle signal to residents that you're a responsible landlord when it comes to maintenance and upkeep. A dirty space is also an immediate turn off to both potential renters and you current residents.

Keeping your laundry room clean doesn't have to be a big hassle or inconvenience. A few simple tasks can go a long way.

• Provide trash cans and empty them regularly.
• Clean up spills and messes to avoid injuries and potential damage to your machines.
• Vacuum and mop the floors.

If you don't already, put these easy, routine tasks on your maintenance schedule to help assure your tenants always have a clean area to do laundry in.

2. Safety.

If your residents don't feel safe using your laundry room, they're likely to take their laundry elsewhere – or completely move to a new apartment. Either way, you lose money. As a landlord or apartment manager, safety should always be a top priority. To improve security in the laundry room, you should:

• Set up the area in a high-traffic, easily accessible area.
• Make sure the area is locked and/or only accessible to residents.
• Keep chemicals out of reach of young children.
• Have plenty of lighting and replace burned out bulbs as soon as possible.

Not only will your residents feel better about using the laundry room, but a few safety upgrades can also help reduce the chance of vandalism and damage to both your equipment and the building.

3. High-quality equipment.

Renters often opt to go to laundromats over using the washers and dryers in their building because they aren't as new, efficient, or big. By providing high-quality commercial washers and dryers, your residents won't have to take their laundry off site. They'll love the latest technology and features, including faster wash and dry times, more advanced controls, alerts, and large-capacity machines. As a property owner, you'll love the equipment's durability and efficiency, which means less maintenance and lower utility bills for you.

A clean, safe, and efficient laundry room can be a big selling point for your apartment complex and help you attract qualified, responsible renters. As an added bonus, people are willing to pay more for the latest tech, convenience, and a better overall experience. With that in mind, you may be able to increase revenue by charging your renters more each month or increasing the price of your vended machines.

Partner with Martin-Ray

Martin-Ray Laundry Systems has been working with landlords and property owners since the 1980s. We take pride in helping you find the right equipment to meet your budget and space. Learn more about laundry equipment for apartment complexes or contact us today to discuss your needs!