Furnished Vs. Unfurnished - a Renters Guide.
While renting a property is often considered less complex than purchasing your own home, there still remain a host of options which must be navigated by would-be tenants.Should you select a private landlord or letting agency? What length of tenancy is best for your purposes? And which is better: furnished or unfurnished?
Whether you opt for a furnished or unfurnished letting agreement should, like all things home-related, be decided based on your personal circumstances.
Prior to starting a property search, prospective tenants should take an inventory of what items they require in a home, what they already own and what budget they have for their moving costs.
For those who do not own many household items – particularly essentials such as beds – furnished flats can be highly cost effective. As well as avoiding a large upfront payout, tenants are not required to include provided furniture on their contents insurance agreements, as the owner will cover these items. However, for people who already have their own goods, moving into a furnished property could mean costly storage costs or cramped living space.
Of course, you may wish to transition from a furnished to an unfurnished house. Unfurnished properties generally carry lower rents, as the landlord does not need to consider factors such as wear, tear and repair of household property.
So, following the initial investment, tenants with unfurnished letting agreements may find their monthly rental outgoings are lower – or they can afford a better-quality property within their budget.
There are ways in which you can reduce the cost of furnishing a property. The all-important sleep arrangements can be bought from a specialist online store, such as Beds at Time4Sleep.co.uk. Internet retailers are often able to offer items at reduced or wholesale costs, cutting the price dramatically.
The trend for vintage and retro décor also works in favour of those collecting their own furniture for the first time – coffee tables, chairs, TV stands, wardrobes and drawer chests can all be found in second-hand and charity stores.
Similarly, there are ways of making the move from an unfurnished to furnished property easier. Auction websites are perfect for offloading unwanted or superfluous items, as well as making an extra bit of cash.
Whether you opt for furnished or unfurnished properties, the important thing is remember that any house can become a home with a little bit of care and attention.
