In light of recent economic times, renting has become a common option for everyone — families as well as singles and couples. Unfortunately, many apartment communities do not cater well to the needs of a family. In fact, they can be downright uncomfortable — and even unsafe — for families. What’s more, the presence of families can cause problems and discomfort for other residents. If you want your community to be as successful as possible, meeting the needs of all potential residents, then take some measures to make it family friendly. Here are some ideas to get started.

Add a Play Area

One of the struggles families in apartments face is lack of space for their children to expend their energy. Without a backyard or large basement to run in, kids can be literally bouncing off the walls. Parents and neighbors do not appreciate this behavior. 

Adding a playground gives parents a place to take their children to get rid of that energy, enjoy some fresh air and spend time being loud outdoors — where it does not disturb other residents. Set aside part of your green space or parking lot and invest in playground equipment, put a fence around it for security and watch as families flock to your community.

Consider Security

Families with children are sometimes more concerned with security and safety than couples or singles who are simply protecting their belongings, not their kids. Consider boosting the security for your facility if you want to make it more family friendly. Families prefer apartment homes with deadbolts, video security and gated community entry. Families with very young children will want to see strong window and door locks as well. Also, if the community is near a busy road, a fence is a great safety feature for kids. While you may not be able to add all of these, consider those that you can.

Security doesn't just apply to preventing break-ins or stranger dangers, it also refers to ensuring that hazards are taken care of. Railings on balconies for instance are a necessity, and they must not have gaps that allow children to fall through. Also, they need to be securely attached and without ledges or handholds that would be easy for a curious toddler to climb.

Provide Laundry Facilities

Do your apartment homes have laundry hookups? Kids yield lots and lots of laundry, so consider converting a closet or remodeling part of the bathroom to provide your apartment community members with laundry amenities. If this is simply not going to be possible because of the size and other confines of your apartments, consider adding laundry in the building in one of the common areas, so your families do not have to trek to the coin laundry facility every week.

Invest in a Pool

Is your community in a location with a hot climate? For families with kids, a pool or splash pad can be a huge benefit in hot, sticky summer months. While this does represent a sizable investment, it's an investment that will pay off with happy, entertained families renting from you.

If you do add a pool, make sure it is properly fenced so children cannot accidentally wander in. Also, check your city's codes to determine if you are allowed to have a community pool without a paid lifeguard on duty. If a pool is too much of a liability, consider a splash pad instead.

Whether you add a play area, beef up safety features or take a jump into having a pool, a few adjustments in your community can pay big dividends by making it more comfortable and welcoming to families, and improving the experience of neighbors of those families at the same time.