Features of a Child-Friendly Apartment

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Features of a Child-Friendly Apartment

Staff Writer · Sep 25, 2009

Parents who rent should make it their priority to find a child-friendly apartment. Sometimes, it can be hard to achieve that goal when the options are few. However, you should try to make sure that any apartment you consider at least has these features.

A Yard

A child friendly apartment will have a yard, and preferably one that’s fenced in. A yard is even a necessity if you have young children and don’t have easy access to a park or playground. It’s good for their health to have the opportunity to run around and play, instead of being cooped up in an apartment all day. It’s unusual to find apartment buildings with a yard, although some may have a small play area for children. Your best bet is to find a duplex with an apartment for rent. These will usually have a yard for your exclusive use or to share with your neighbor. 

A Safe Neighborhood

Your number one consideration when looking for a child friendly apartment is whether the location where you want to rent is in a safe neighborhood. You don’t want to put your child (or you) in a situation where they’re more likely to become the victim of a crime. You also need to make sure you’re not moving next door to a child sex offender. You can check by putting in the apartment’s address at www.FamilyWatchDog.us (or your local online registry), and the name and address of any registered offender in close proximity will come up. You can also get the real scoop on crime in that location by talking to other tenants, the local neighborhood crime watch group and reading the newspaper.

A Washer and Dryer

You will save time and money with a washer and dyer in your apartment. Children create a lot of laundry, and a child friendly apartment will at least have a small laundry facility on the premises or a washer and dryer hookup. You’ll have peace of mind (and save gas) when you don’t make trips back and forth the local laundromat. It’s worth holding out for an apartment that will have both a washer and dryer or easy access to them.

A Carbon Monoxide Alarm

This is no minor consideration. A carbon monoxide alarm will help prevent your child from getting poisoned. You should make sure that your apartment carries one, and you should install them just outside your children’s bedrooms. If it doesn’t have one, find out whether your landlord will install one (and whether he’s required by law to do so).

Carpeted Stairways

If the apartment you’re considering comes with stairways, then you want to make sure it’s carpeted. This will help to prevent falls, especially when you have little ones. An accident on a staircase can cause serious injuries if your child falls the wrong way, or lands on their head or spine. If you find the perfect apartment for you, but the stairs don’t have carpet, you can ask your landlord to put them in or if you could do it yourself. You may be able to negotiate a reasonable reduction in rent for installing the carpet.

You will be happier living in a child-friendly apartment, even if it costs a little more. In the end, it may save you money (and headaches) in other areas.

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