Should you furnish your lettings property?

THAT IS THE QUESTION TO FURNISH, OR NOT TO FURNISH;

One of the biggest questions facing landlords, is whether to furnish your property or to let your tenant do it

When you are looking to rent your property, you have two options; you can provide the furniture and furnish it yourself or you can rent it empty ready for the tenant to furnish, which is known as renting unfurnished. Both options have their benefits and their downfalls.

FURNISHED

Furnished properties are popular with first time renters who haven’t got a house load of furniture already, as it will make things simpler in the short term. Another benefit is that your tenants may give your property more respect if they can see that you have invested in good quality furniture for them.

A furnished property can demand a higher rent; however, it may limit the market with renting to families, especially those with children who may have their own furniture. There is also the potential fear for the parent, that a child may damage the furniture which could affect the deposit in the long run.

Furnished properties are also perfect for professional couples and singles, especially those commuting. These tend to be short-term rentals and

can work well for professionals looking for somewhere convenient and close to work while relocating and looking for somewhere more permanent. However, there is a significant cost involved when it comes to furnishing a property, as your tenants will want a certain quality of furnishings – especially when you consider white goods for the kitchen alongside beds, sofas, tables and chairs. UNFURNISHED Unfurnished properties tend to appeal to longer term tenants, especially families who already have belongings. You will open your property to a larger market if it is unfurnished as people love being able to put their own stamp on a place. them and may encourage them to stay longer than if it was a furnished property. You will also have less stress regarding wear and tear on your furniture as well as your property. There will be no need to replace

furniture and white goods at the end of a tenancy as it will be the responsibility of the tenant. There will also be no expensive bills if any appliances break during a tenancy. In conclusion, the choice to offer your property furnished or unfurnished is yours. However, depending on the type of tenant you are looking for, one may be more beneficial to you than the other. For example, if you have a flat close to a commute it may be a good idea to offer it furnished, whereas if you have a three-bedroom property in a residential area it will be more beneficial to keep it unfurnished. A furnished property can demand a higher rent; however, it may limit the market with renting to families, especially those with children who may have their own furniture

With your tenants able to design their own living spaces, it will make the property feel more like home for

For more advice when it comes to renting your property, please talk to our lettings team today.