CHICAGO (April 15, 2009) – Renters are doing their part to save the environment. During a national survey, more than 65 percent of renters told Apartments.com that practicing an environmentally-friendly lifestyle is a high priority. To conserve energy, 52 percent of renters are turning off lights and computers when not in use, setting air conditioners and heaters on timers and using energy-efficient light bulbs. Twenty-two percent are recycling paper, plastics and electronics.

Those who are not actively seeking out ways to conserve and maintain the environment indicated the number one reason as not having access to an on-site recycling program at their apartment. As peak rental season ramps up around the country, renters are also going “green” during their apartment search. More than 60 percent of renters said they search for apartments that offer environmentally-friendly amenities and 25 percent are willing to pay more rent to live at an apartment community that considers the environment in their day-to-day community operations. This level of environmental consciousness reflects not only how renters live, but could also translate into where they choose to live.

Apartment communities that offer environmentally-friendly amenities are more likely to turn undecided renters into residents. Seventeen percent of renters said they would not rent an apartment without environmentally-friendly amenities. Additionally, more than half of renters surveyed indicated they would take an apartment community’s commitment to environmental issues into consideration. Survey results showed that energy-efficient windows and on-site recycling programs have the most impact on renter’s decision to rent an apartment. Other desirable amenities are energy-efficient appliances, environmentally-safe cleaning products, non-toxic paint, energy-efficient light bulbs, low water-flow devices and automated and/or paperless processes for paying rent and placing maintenance requests. 

Fifty-seven percent of renters said their apartment community does not currently provide environmentally-friendly amenities. However, the 43 percent that do offer amenities renters desire most. When asked to choose all that apply, renters identified the five most popular amenities offered at their apartment community as:

1. On-site recycling programs (59%)
2. Energy-efficient light bulbs (32%)
3. Low water-flow devices (31%)
4. Energy-efficient windows (26%)
5. Automated and/or paperless processes for online transactions (24%)

In comparison to a similar renter survey conducted by Apartments.com in 2007, the availability of on-site recycling programs has increased by 16 percent and energy-efficient windows by nine percent.

Renters looking for convenient ways to conserve and sustain the environment in their apartment are encouraged to read “10 Easy, Fun Ideas for Renters to Get Their Green On” (http://living.apartments.com/housekeeping/10-easy-fun-ideas-for-renters-to-get-their-green-on/) located in the “Apartment Living” section on Apartments.com.

As part of its monthly “What Renters Want” research series, Apartments.com surveys renters on various topics. For more information on these surveys or to receive a copy of additional survey results, please contact Tammy Kotula at tkotula@apartments.com.

About Apartments.com
Apartments.com is the most visited national apartment Internet listing subscription service with more than 50,000 unique addresses representing more than three million rental units from managed properties, newspaper classifieds and for-rent-by-owner properties. With personalized searches, highly visual ads featuring "Walk Through Video," "Apartments.com Anywhere" mobile solutions, 360-degree virtual tours, professional photography, and comprehensive community listings, Apartments.com makes it possible for renters to access apartment rental inventory from across town or across the country. Leads from highly qualified ready-to-rent prospects are delivered to Apartments.com customers, increasing closure rates and decreasing the average cost of leasing an apartment. The Web site's foundation of solid partnerships with the local newspaper and television station Web sites of more than 1,000 newspaper affiliate and strategic partners across the country include Yahoo! Real Estate, AOL Real Estate, Univision, the Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. Apartments.com is a division of Chicago-based Classified Ventures, LLC. Additionally, Apartments.com owns and operates Apartment Home Living, a leading social media apartment Web site distinguished by a "live for fun" community experience, proprietary lifestyle matching and local living guides to help renters find their perfect place to live.