Apartments with energy-efficient appliances, including utilities, in-unit laundry, and bundled amenities can lower monthly costs by reducing what renters pay outside of rent each month.

What to Look For Before You Sign a Lease

Rent is only part of the monthly cost of living in an apartment. Utilities, laundry, parking, storage, and even lease fees can add up fast, and two units with the same listed rent can end up costing very different amounts once those extras are factored in. Knowing which apartment features tend to save money, and which ones quietly add to the bill, makes it easier to compare properties and budget with more accuracy.

Below is an apartment features list that covers the categories that tend to have the biggest impact on a renter’s monthly costs, from appliances and utilities to lease terms and community amenities. Walking through this list before a tour can help renters ask sharper questions and avoid surprises after move-in.

Energy-Efficient Appliances and Fixtures

Appliances and fixtures are one of the first things to check, since they directly affect utility bills every month.

ENERGY STAR appliances. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines with an ENERGY STAR rating are built to use less electricity and water than older, standard models. Over the course of a year, that difference can add up, especially with appliances that run daily like refrigerators.

LED lighting. LED bulbs use a fraction of the electricity that incandescent bulbs use and last significantly longer. Apartments with LED lighting already installed save renters from having to swap out fixtures themselves, and the lower energy draw shows up on the electric bill over time.

Low-flow fixtures. Low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets reduce water usage without a noticeable difference in performance. In units where renters pay for water separately, or where water costs are passed through via submetering, this can make a measurable difference on the monthly total.

When touring a unit, it is worth asking the property manager whether appliances and fixtures have been updated recently, and if so, what they were replaced with.

Utility Setup: Who Pays for What

How utilities are structured can be just as important as the rent amount itself.

Submetering. Some properties use submeters to measure each unit’s individual water, gas, or electric usage, then bill residents based on actual consumption. This can work in a renter’s favor if they are mindful about usage, but it also means costs can vary month to month.

Included utilities. Some apartments bundle one or more utilities, commonly water, trash, and sometimes gas, into the monthly rent. This adds predictability to the budget, since there is one less bill to track, though it is worth asking whether the included amount has a cap before overage charges apply.

Water and trash bundling. Water and trash are frequently combined into a single flat fee, which is often lower than paying a municipal provider directly. Renters comparing two similar units should ask exactly what is and is not included, since “utilities included” can mean different things at different properties.

Getting a clear, written breakdown of utility responsibilities during the leasing process helps avoid confusion later.

Windows, Insulation, and HVAC Efficiency

The physical condition of a unit plays a large role in heating and cooling costs, which are often the biggest utility expense.

Double-pane windows. Double-pane windows provide better insulation than single-pane windows, keeping conditioned air inside and reducing how hard the HVAC system has to work. Older buildings with single-pane windows tend to see higher heating and cooling costs, particularly during extreme weather.

Programmable and smart thermostats. A programmable or smart thermostat allows residents to set schedules or adjust temperatures remotely, which can reduce energy usage when no one is home. Some models also provide usage reports, giving renters more visibility into their own habits.

Unit age and building systems. Newer buildings, or units that have undergone recent renovations, often have more efficient HVAC systems, updated insulation, and tighter building envelopes. Asking about the age of the HVAC system, and when it was last serviced or replaced, can be a useful question during a tour.

In-Unit Washer/Dryer vs. Shared Laundry

Laundry is one of the more overlooked costs when comparing apartments.

An in-unit washer and dryer adds convenience and can reduce long-term costs compared to paying per load at a shared laundry facility or an off-site laundromat. Shared laundry rooms typically charge per wash and per dry cycle, and those costs accumulate steadily over a year, particularly for larger households or anyone doing laundry weekly.

Some properties offer in-unit connections without the machines included, which means factoring in the cost of renting or purchasing a washer and dryer. Others include the units at no additional charge, or offer them for a set monthly fee added to rent. Comparing the total cost of each option, rather than just the sticker price of rent, gives a more accurate picture of which unit is the better value.

Parking and Transit Access

Transportation costs are part of the overall cost of living, even though they are not part of the lease itself.

Included parking. Some apartment communities include parking in the monthly rent, while others charge a separate fee for a reserved spot, a garage space, or even uncovered parking. Knowing whether parking is included, and what the fee structure looks like if it is not, is an important part of comparing total monthly costs.

Proximity to transit lines. Apartments located near public transit lines can reduce or eliminate the need for a second car, or cut down on fuel and maintenance costs for renters who commute regularly. Distance to the nearest transit stop is a factual, measurable detail worth confirming during the search.

Commuting costs. Shorter commute distances generally translate into lower fuel costs and less vehicle wear over time. Renters weighing two similar apartments may find that the one with a longer commute costs more overall, even if the rent itself is lower.

Storage and Space Efficiency

Storage is easy to overlook until it becomes a recurring expense.

Apartments with built-in storage, such as closets, pantry space, or a dedicated storage unit included with the lease, can eliminate the need to rent off-site storage. Off-site storage units carry their own monthly fee, and that cost can add up significantly over a year or more.

When touring a unit, it helps to look at closet space, kitchen storage, and whether the building offers additional storage options like a basement unit or a bike room. For renters with larger households or a lot of belongings, this feature can factor meaningfully into the overall value of a lease.

Community Amenities That Offset Outside Costs

Certain amenities can reduce the need to pay for services elsewhere.

On-site gym. A fitness center included in the community can replace the cost of an outside gym membership, which for many renters runs a recurring monthly fee.

Package lockers. Secure package lockers reduce the risk of stolen or misplaced deliveries, which can otherwise mean the added cost and hassle of replacing items.

Co-working space. A shared workspace or business center can reduce or eliminate the need for a separate co-working membership for renters who work remotely.

Pet areas. On-site pet areas, dog runs, or pet washing stations can reduce the cost and time associated with off-site pet care options.

These amenities do not show up as a line item on a bill, but they can offset expenses that renters would otherwise pay for outside of their lease.

Lease Terms and Included Fees

The lease agreement itself often holds some of the most overlooked costs.

Application fees. Most properties charge an application fee to cover background and credit checks. These fees vary by property, so it is worth asking upfront rather than being surprised during the leasing process.

Admin fees. Some communities charge a one-time administrative fee separate from the security deposit. This is a fixed cost, not tied to usage, and should be confirmed before signing.

What’s bundled into rent. Beyond utilities, some leases bundle in extras like trash valet, pest control, or even amenity access, while others charge for each separately. Reading the lease closely, or asking a leasing agent to walk through the full fee schedule, helps avoid unexpected charges after move-in.

Questions to Ask Before You Tour

Having a short checklist ready before a tour makes it easier to compare apartments on equal footing. Renters may want to ask:

• Which utilities are included in rent, and which are billed separately?
• Is the unit submetered, and if so, how is usage calculated?
• When were the appliances, HVAC system, and windows last updated?
• Is there an in-unit washer and dryer, and is there an additional fee for it?
• Is parking included, and if not, what is the monthly cost?
• How far is the property from the nearest public transit stop?
• What storage options are available, both in the unit and in the building?
• Are there application fees, admin fees, or other one-time charges?
• What amenities are included at no extra cost?

Bringing this list to a tour, or reviewing it with a leasing agent beforehand, makes it much easier to compare apartments based on total cost rather than rent alone.

Not Sure Where to Start Your Search?

Comparing apartment features across multiple listings takes time, and it is easy to miss details that affect the true monthly cost of a unit. Working through an apartment features list like this one is a useful starting point, but pairing it with local, up-to-date knowledge of specific properties and neighborhoods can make the search faster and less stressful.

Nashville Apartment Locators offers a personalized, no-cost apartment finding service for renters searching in Nashville, Tennessee, and the surrounding communities. Renters are connected with licensed local agents who help identify available apartments that align with their stated housing criteria, budget, move-in timeline, and desired features, and who can speak directly to details like utility setups, included amenities, and lease terms at specific properties. This can streamline the search process and help renters make a more informed decision before they sign a lease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do smart thermostats actually reduce energy bills? 

Programmable and smart thermostats can reduce energy usage by allowing residents to set schedules based on when they are home, rather than heating or cooling an empty apartment. The amount saved depends on the climate, the unit’s insulation, and how consistently the settings are used.

Is it cheaper to have utilities included in rent or billed separately?

It depends on usage habits and the specific pricing at a given property. Included utilities offer predictability since the cost is folded into a flat monthly rent, while separately billed utilities can be cheaper for renters with lower usage but riskier for those with higher usage or fluctuating seasonal costs.

What’s the cost difference between in-unit and shared laundry over a year?

Shared laundry facilities typically charge per wash and dry cycle, and those charges accumulate with regular use throughout the year. An in-unit washer and dryer removes that per-load cost, though renters should factor in whether there is an added monthly fee for the appliances themselves when comparing the two options.

How can I find out an apartment’s average utility costs before signing a lease? 

Asking the property manager or leasing agent for average utility costs from previous residents, or for a breakdown of what is submetered versus flat rate, is the most direct way to get this information. Local utility providers can also offer general average cost data for a specific area, which can be a helpful point of comparison.Utility costs vary based on usage, season, unit size, and building efficiency. 

Disclaimer:

Nashville Apartment Locators supports Equal Housing Opportunity. Renters are encouraged to independently evaluate neighborhoods, schools, transportation options, amenities, and other factors important to their housing decisions. 

Housing availability, rental rates, fees, and leasing policies are subject to change and are determined by individual property owners and management companies. Nashville Apartment Locators is a licensed real estate brokerage providing apartment locating services in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local fair housing laws. In most cases, participating properties pay a referral commission after a lease is signed, so services are typically provided at no cost to renters. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.