When you live in an apartment, there are some services you should receive that homeowners don’t. For example, let’s say your water heater fails mid-shower, and you have no idea how to handle it (other than letting out a shriek). You can ask for help from your landlord or building maintenance person, rather than trying to figure it out yourself.
These kinds of free services are some of the major perks of being a renter, but there are some amenities that may not be included in your renter’s agreement that are worth splurging on every now and then as well. Here are seven apartment amenities you may want to consider shelling out some money for.
1. Hire a cleaning service. Look, no matter how much you dislike cleaning, you’re going to have to pick up a broom or a bottle of Windex at some point. It’s an inevitable part of being an adult. But, in some cases, splurging on a full apartment cleaning can be very worth it.
When should you shell out for this particular service? While it can relieve you of certain cleaning stresses at any time, it’s especially helpful right before moving out. This lets you focus on packing and booking movers and puts you in a great position to get your deposit back. It can also be a great investment if you’ve just resigned your lease for another year. You may not be getting a shiny new apartment, but at least you’ll have a clean one.
2. Get your carpets cleaned. While this may fall under the previously mentioned cleaning service, carpet cleaning deserves a category all its own. Why? Because carpet shows wear and tear very quickly. Think about a time you had friends over and someone spilled a glass of red wine. Or when your roommate forgot to take her shoes off and tracked dirt all the way across your living room. Or when your pet had an accident.
Even if you clean these spills up, your carpet will likely still show some signs of the mishaps (especially if it’s white or cream, as are most apartment carpets). Get a professional carpet cleaning service, and stare in wonder at what a difference it makes.
3. Order grocery delivery. If you’re lucky enough to live near a grocery store, this may not be a worthwhile indulgence — but if you don’t live near a store or don’t have a car, grocery delivery is one of the most exciting services you can spend money on. If you can’t afford this luxury on a regular basis, wait until there are several household items you need to stock up on (such as paper towels, hand soap, etc.) and buy everything at once along with tons of food. That way, you’ll be well stocked, and you won’t have to make another trip to the store for several weeks.
4. Send out your laundry. Laundry day is something few people look forward to — and that’s especially true for those who don’t have a washer and dryer in their apartment. It’s a hassle when there are never free washing machines in the laundry room on your floor, and you inevitably need to trek the laundry to the elevator to go up or down a floor.
For that reason, some people opt to have their clothes cleaned for them by a laundry service. It usually works like this: The laundry service provides a bag, you fill it with clothes and the service cleans everything and brings it back. And while having your laundry professionally cleaned may not be the most budget-friendly move, this service is worth it if you have clothing that needs to be dry-cleaned or garments with hard-to-remove stains.
5. Pay for a spot in the garage. If your apartment community offers parking, it may come at a pretty high rate. It varies by city, but monthly parking passes can cost upward of $300 in some areas. However, if you live in an area with nasty winters, splurging for a covered parking spot is not a bad move. Plus, paying for a spot in your building’s garage means not having to circle your neighborhood for hours on end looking for street parking every time you come home from work — that’s something everyone can get behind.
6. Book a personal training session. When apartment buildings have fitness centers, it’s already a great deal for renters. Why? Because it means not shelling out a bunch of money each month for a gym or health club membership. So, if your building’s fitness center offers personal training sessions, take advantage of them!
Even if each session costs a few bucks, splurging on your fitness regimen every now and then is good for a couple reasons: First, it’ll give you a great workout — that’s obvious. Second, your personal trainer can make sure you’re using the machines correctly and working out in the most efficient way. That way, when you go back alone, your workouts will be even better than before.
7. Reserve an event space. If you live in a bigger apartment building, you may have noticed a few furnished communal spaces that can be rented out for parties or events. If there’s one in your building, this is a great place to host your next birthday or Super Bowl party. They’re often much less expensive than hosting parties at restaurants or other venues, and you’ll have much more room than you would hosting in your apartment.
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7 Apartment Services Worth Splurging On originally appeared on usnews.com
