Whether you’re a first-time renter or you’re renting your next apartment in a new city, the process of finding an apartment is difficult. From scouting out the perfect location and finding an apartment that fits all your needs to buying furniture and decorations for your new apartment, the entire moving process is stressful.
Then, there’s the question of renting a furnished apartment or an unfurnished apartment in the first place. If you’re considering a fully furnished apartment as your next place, here’s everything you should know about furnished apartments.
What is a furnished apartment and what do fully furnished apartments include?
There are three different types of furnished apartments and you may wonder exactly how much furniture comes in a furnished apartment?
There are fully furnished, furnished or semi-furnished apartments. You can find furnished apartments in all apartment sizes — from a studio apartment to a two-bedroom apartment or even, sometimes, a house. Each type of finished apartment can come equipped in a variety of ways.
Fully furnished apartments are move-in ready and can include all your basic heavy furniture, such as a bed, couch, dining room table, bathroom appliances, coffee table and dressers. However, they also go above and beyond and might include amenities like interior design and décor, basic kitchen appliances and, sometimes, even a washer and dryer.
Furnished units usually include basic needs like a bed, end tables, chairs, a microwave and a couch. Some might include more or less but it really depends on the landlord or property owners.
Semi-furnished apartments have fewer items included than furnished apartments. They still come with the basic needs including a bed, couch and some kitchen appliances but you’ll get fewer amenities in something labeled “semi-furnished.”
Before you decide on which apartment to rent, ask the landlord for an apartment tour or even reach out and ask the tenants if they enjoy living there.
Pros of renting a fully furnished apartment
As with anything, there are pros and cons to renting furnished apartments. So, here’s a list of the pros and cons to consider to make it easier to rent your perfect apartment.
Moving is easy
Moving from an old apartment to a new one is time-consuming. There’s so much to get done from boxing up all your belongings to then hiring a moving company or enlisting your friend’s help. You no longer have to worry about moving heavy furniture when you rent a furnished apartment.
Lower upfront costs
If you’re looking to save money upfront, then a furnished apartment might just be for you. With a furnished apartment, not only do you not have to worry about moving furniture, but you don’t have to spend extra money buying your own furniture just yet.
Furniture is expensive and takes a long time to accumulate, leaving you with a semi-furnished apartment for a while. A furnished rental eliminates the additional costs of furniture and saves you more money upfront.
Short-term rental
Renting an apartment is a big commitment you shouldn’t take lightly. If you’re unsure about how long you’ll be in one place, consider moving apartments to a place ready to go.
A business person, college student or someone who only wants to stay in a place for a few months are good candidates for short-term rentals. If this sounds like you, then pre-furnished apartments are great for short-term tenants.
Reduce stress
Renting a new place is stressful, to say the least. Then, add in all the other tasks that go into moving, from filling an empty apartment with new furniture to learning your new neighborhood. A furnished apartment can help to reduce some of the big stresses that come with moving.
Cons of renting a fully furnished apartment
With every pro, there’s a con and a furnished apartment is no exception. Here are the cons of furnished apartments that you should consider before moving.
Higher rent fees
If you already own furniture or are fine to pay for new furniture, then renting a fully furnished apartment is a bad idea. Renting a furnished apartment typically comes with higher monthly rent and a higher security deposit. The higher rent prices are due to the fact that you’re not only paying for the space but also the furniture in the apartment.
If you’re renters who plan on planting roots in one place for more than a few months, then this could be one of the bigger cons of furnished apartments to consider. In the long run, renting unfurnished apartments might actually save you money. If you’re looking to buy your own furniture but on a budget, then second-hand furniture is a great option to fill your unfurnished apartment. And over time, you’ll save the extra money that you would have had to pay for rent. This is something that future tenants should take time to consider and budget out which option is best for them.
Poor quality and lack of personality
Another con of furnished apartments is you don’t know the quality of the furniture. It could be old, damaged or even dirty from previous renters. You should talk to the landlord and ask about the quality and maintenance of the furniture before you rent.
You may not like the furniture in the house or it isn’t your taste or have the amenities you’re looking for, either. And while you can add little touches here and there, it’s important to live comfortably in your space and furniture does contribute to that.
Fear of damages
It’s one of the fears all renters have — damaging the apartment, or in this case, the furniture in the apartment. Damaging your own furniture is bad enough but damaging the furniture in your furnished apartment is even worse and can result in fees. If you spill or your pooch decides the couch is their new chewing toy one day, that could mean you’ll get charged or even lose your security deposit.
This can make you feel like you’re walking on eggshells in your own apartment and is something you should really think about before you rent. It’s also a good idea to ask your landlord about their specific damage policies. This will help you also avoid rental scams.
To rent furnished or not to rent furnished
Renting a new apartment is a big moment in life for anyone. Whether you decide to rent a furnished or unfurnished apartment, you’ll finally have a space that’s all your own. A furnished rental is a great option for people who don’t own enough furniture, people who are short-term renters or people who aren’t committed to a new location. Talk to your landlord about the furnishings included if you go this route.
Source: apartmentguide.com