Many people rent an apartment or home do so in order to reduce the amount of work and commitment they must give to their living space. To take that ease one step further, some renters choose to look for furnished space. Although nearly all rentals come with major appliances, most do not offer furniture or other household necessities. Here are some factors to consider in making the decision.
Advantages
First, furnished space means moving will be simple. If you move frequently or only need to use the space for a short period of time, a furnished apartment may be the best option. Although you will be able to settle in with your essential belongs like clothing, electronics and important belongings, you won’t have to worry about renting a moving truck or borrowing a friend’s pick-up to move in or out of the unit. You can simply box up your things and throw them in a car, and you’re done.
Second, you won’t need to make the financial investment in furniture. This is especially important if you are not settled for a significant amount of time. Waiting to buy furnishings until you have decided to stay someplace for a couple of years may be a smart decision because certain pieces of furniture may not fit or look right in different rental spaces.
And finally, they are often good for quick decisions and faster turnaround. You won’t have to worry about whether your current furniture works in an unfurnished place so you can make your rental selection based on location and price instead of whether you couch fits in the living room. Often, furnished apartments offer month-to-month or more flexible leases because landlords understand they are appealing to renters who are looking for short-term housing.
Disadvantages
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of a furnished rental is higher cost. Obviously, a property owner will need to spend more money getting a furnished apartment ready for rental than an unfurnished one. In addition, there is more risk because there are more items for a renter to damage. As a result, both rent and security deposit may be higher. To protect yourself as a renter, you may want to consider taking a photo of all furnishings before you move in so that you have an accurate comparison of the condition of at least expensive items upon moving out.
Another disadvantage is that you may have to live in a place that doesn’t suit your particular style of furniture or decor. It’s a little harder to feel at home if you’re not really comfortable with the colors and style of the rental.
Finally, it can be a challenge to find furnished apartments. They are more rare and may require a longer commute or living in an area that is not necessarily your first choice.