Should I Rent Furnished or Unfurnished?

13 million people in Britain rent their home – that’s ⅕ of the population. With the increase in house prices, this figure has been on the rise over the past decade. There are many benefits to renting your home – it is extremely flexible, and you won’t be responsible for the cost of building repairs. Renting also comes with far less financial risk than buying your own property.

When you are looking to rent, you may want to consider whether to go for accommodation that is completely unfurnished, or one that comes with furniture and white goods, all ready for you to move into. 

Basic furniture

If you are renting for the first time, then it is extremely convenient to rent a furnished property – you won’t have the outlay of buying beds, sofas etc. The only downfall however, is that the furniture might not be to your taste. There are easy ways that you can personalise your space though, without damaging the landlord’s furniture. Sofas and chairs can be covered with throws and blankets, and you can add rugs to the floor. You could also change the curtains and blinds in the property so that they match your own colour scheme. If you do this however, you will need to keep the original curtains and put them back up when you leave. 

White goods

Laying out for white goods is one of the biggest expenses when you are renting an unfurnished property, particularly if this is the first time that you are renting your own home. If you are buying new, the cost of a washing machine, fridge, tumble dryer and dishwasher can run into the thousands. This is where renting a furnished property can be better for your budget. The landlord will also be responsible for repairing or replacing the white goods if there is a problem. You will however, need to follow instructions carefully for using the white goods, so that you don’t damage them. For instance, washing shoes and trainers in the machine can be done if they are placed in a cloth bag. But if you put heavy boots in the machine, this could easily damage the drum. If white goods need repairing as a result of your negligence, then you are responsible for the costs.  

Getting your deposit back

When you are renting an unfurnished property, as long as the accommodation is left in a similar condition to when you moved in, there is less likely to be any kind of dispute about getting your deposit back. All deposits should be put into a government-approved deposit scheme when you move in, so if there are any issues, the deposit scheme holder will deal with this, rather than you having to negotiate directly with the landlord. If you are renting a furnished property the condition of the furniture will need to be considered when you are moving out. Your landlord should allow for reasonable wear and tear, but if there are items that are heavily soiled or damaged, they may take the cost of replacing these out of your deposit.  

Short-term lets and flexibility 

If you need to rent a property just for a few months, then furnished accommodation is often the best option – you can walk in with your suitcase and everything will be ready for you. It is also particularly convenient if you are coming from overseas for work and need to find somewhere to stay. Many people also choose to let a furnished property if they are between homes and waiting to move in permanently somewhere else. 

If you are renting an unfurnished property, you can put your own stamp on it and make it feel like home. Furnished properties can be extremely convenient however, and cost less in the short term. Your own personal circumstances will have an impact on what you choose.