There are circumstances in which you will be looking for a Rental apartment but won’t have a stack of furniture you can bring with you. Thankfully, several landlords offer furnished properties for rent, allowing you to rent in comfort without the additional cost of buying furniture. This handy guide will help you understand the different types of furnished apartments available and your responsibilities as a tenant.
What is a Furnished Apartment?
Landlords will usually list apartments as unfurnished or furnished. Apartments for rent without furniture does not mean the condo is stripped bare to wall plaster and floorboards. Indeed, all apartments must provide tenants with certain things, such as white goods, kitchen and bathroom fittings, and window and floor coverings, such as carpets, as standard. Most will also include amenities such as wi fi.
The level of furnishing included in a furnished apartment rental will differ. Some landlords will offer their apartment as part furnished, which will provide a bed, storage and sofa in your room as minimum to ensure you are able to live comfortably. In contrast, others will list a fully furnished apartment, which will give a greater level of furnishings, including items such as a dining table and chairs. Speak to the landlord before committing to renting any apartment to understand what comes with the rent.
Pros and Cons of Renting a Furnished Apartment
Deciding whether to rent a furnished flat requires a significant level of consideration. To help determine whether it is for you, consider the benefits and disadvantages of furnished apartment rentals.
Pros of Renting a Furnished Apartment
Moving into fully furnished apartments can save money in the short term if you don’t currently have furniture. Buying your own is a significant investment, which, if renting is a short-term solution, such as for students, will not prove cost-effective. In addition, only having to move a few boxes of possessions makes the entire moving process much simpler than needing to hire a van and shifting bulky pieces of furniture.
Finally, apartments that come fully loaded are often short-term rentals that offer flexibility for the tenant. They make excellent student accommodation or spaces for business people needing to rent for a few months rather than a longer-term solution.
Cons of Renting a Furnished Flat
On the flip side, while renting a property furnished provides a certain level of advantages, the rental price will be higher. You may want to consider the length of your tenancy and weigh up whether it makes more financial sense to invest in your own furniture. Another downside of not having your own furniture is that as well as paying a premium in rent, you’ll also be liable for any damage. Whether you spill coffee or accidentally destroy a chair, the costs of replacements or repairs will be down to you to pay.
In addition, you may struggle to find accommodation containing furniture that is of good quality, or to your taste. You may end up needing to compromise on something else, such as location, to find apartments with furniture that you find attractive.
Responsibilities as a Tenant or Renting a Furnished Property
Before the beginning of a tenancy, the landlord will provide tenants with an inventory of what furnishings have come with the property. They will take a security deposit before arrival in the new home which, assuming there is no damage to fixtures and fittings, will be returned when the tenancy ends.
Of course, accidents happen and if something gets broken while you are in the rented house, it is worth letting the landlord know sooner rather than later, this could save you from losing a large portion of your deposit at the end of the tenancy. You may wish to take out Tenant’s Liability Insurance which is designed to protect renters in the event of any damage to furniture or fittings during your tenancy in the landlord’s home.
Responsibilities of the Landlord
Your landlord will be responsible for the majority of repairs that might be needed to the property itself. This would include a replacement boiler, ensuring all wiring is safe and double-checking the plumbing and ventilation. In addition, they are required to ensure that the home is fit and safe for habitation, meaning that there can be no fire hazards or dampness in the flat before you begin to rent. Other things may be covered in your tenancy agreement so check your contract thoroughly.
