Renting out a flat – furnished or unfurnished?
Text from 2019. Laws, rates and prices may have changed since then. Ask an agent
The property market changes over the years. It is not only the regulations that are modified, but also tenants' requirements. Many people wonder whether renting out a flat with furniture is more profitable and desirable than renting it without. Expectations in this respect depend on several factors. Let us take a closer look at the issue.
• A furnished flat is easier to let• A furnished flat for young people
• It is not all about age
• Who does not need furniture?
• Unfurnished for seconded employees
• No furniture – no trouble
A furnished flat is easier to let
Specialists agree that the trend persists: a furnished property is much easier to let. Furniture is essential when letting to certain groups of tenants. In addition, a person willing to move in will be found much faster where a bed, wardrobes and kitchen fittings are already in place. When basic furnishings are missing, you have to wait much longer for a tenant. Does this mean that a flat without furniture will not be popular? No. Some tenants actually prefer to have a space at their disposal that they can arrange according to their individual needs. Who has what requirements? Let us find out.
A furnished flat for young people
Furniture is an essential part of a flat's furnishings, above all for young people. Whether studying or taking their first steps on the job market, they usually do not have the money to buy furnishings. They are unlikely to be tempted by a place that lacks furniture. There are at least two reasons – such large purchases require extra funds and time. Visiting one shop after another takes a really long time, and young people, burdened with too many obligations, want to get some tasks done as quickly as possible. The advice for a landlord letting to such a tenant is therefore to offer the flat furnished.
It is not all about age
A flat's furnishings are a key issue not only for young people. They are also valued by married couples with small children and by people leading a dynamic life full of changes. Let us remember that most professionally active people will change their place of residence several times in their lives. Such rapid changes and moving from city to city make buying furniture unprofitable, because it would have to be done too often and at too great a cost. It is therefore better to choose a place that is ready to move into. Does everyone think so? Not quite.
READ ALSO – EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT INSURANCE FOR A RENTED FLAT
Who does not need furniture?
Not everyone considers furniture a necessary element of the decor of a rental flat. Market experts suggest that a flat without furniture will also be popular with some people. It will suit above all those with a stable job and a settled financial situation. These people prefer to furnish the place where they will live themselves. This kind of tenant is slightly less common, but once one appears on the horizon, you can expect them to stay longer. This means that a long-term agreement will be signed. A great advantage of renting out a "bare" flat is therefore the type of tenant, who is most likely looking for a place for a long time and will ensure regular payments into your account.
Unfurnished for seconded employees
Let us add that an unfurnished flat is sometimes rented by large companies that second an employee to carry out work away from his or her place of residence. Such companies generally have substantial financial resources. For the landlord, this therefore means not only no problems, but also a secure profit.
READ ALSO – FLAT-RATE TAX ON RENTING OUT A FLAT
No furniture – no trouble
Although renting out a flat with furniture is the safer option, it can cause more trouble. The more items there are, the more of them can be damaged, and this generates costs for the landlord. By offering a flat without furniture, you avoid this problem. When a well-off tenant who is professionally and financially stable is found, the landlord will certainly be satisfied. And there is one more reason to be pleased – there is no need to worry that someone will destroy his or her belongings.
Renting out a flat with furniture is certainly much easier. Furniture inside the property helps to find a tenant more quickly. This does not mean, however, that an unfurnished flat is doomed to have no tenants. It will appeal to the particular groups of people described in this article. The details of this issue can be discussed with the experts at REMAX Gold, who will provide all the necessary information.


