Should you furnish your rental property?

12th October 2018

Before you rush out to buy furniture for your rental property, think carefully about what you need and even if it’s really necessary to provide any furniture at all. About half of all prospective tenants are looking for unfurnished accommodation and furnishing a property does not necessarily increase the amount of rent you will achieve.

Speak to your letting agent about the type of tenant your property is likely to attract and get their opinion on what items you need to buy. Families and young couples might not want any furniture at all; students, by contrast, will want the property fully furnished; and a busy professional single person or couple are more likely to be looking for furnished or part-furnished properties.

OUR TIPS

✔Make sure everything you buy is hard-wearing and easy to clean and maintain. Keep colours neutral and avoid over personalising with “statement” items that might put people off. Think modern, fresh, simple and, above all, well-lit and warm.

✔Go for sofas with removable covers that can be machine-washed, or real or faux leather you can wipe clean. Divan beds with built-in drawers provide extra storage and providing mattress protectors will extend mattress life.

✔Buy cheap ready-made curtains or blinds online, we recommend www.blinds-2go.co.uk. Blinds will help make rooms look more spacious and modern.

✔Avoid including smaller electrical appliances such as lamps, toasters and microwaves as you will be responsible for keeping them in good repair and you could be held liable if they are faulty. While most tenants expect landlords to provide “white goods”, such as an oven, hob, fridge/freezer and a washing machine, they are usually happy to provide their own portable appliances, saving you money and hassle.

It’s important to remember that regardless of whether you are offering your property furnished or unfurnished we always recommend a professional third party inventory that protects both the Landord and Tenant.

OUR SERVICES

At Anthony Webbwe offer  Fully Managed, Let & Rent Collection and Let Only services to meet your needs. Contact a member of our lettings team for more information or a lettings valuation on 020 8882 7888. 

Tony Ourris, Anthony Webb director says “A well-dressed and furnished property appeals to professional individuals. In general we find tenants are less likely to haggle on the asking price if the property is in an immaculate condition ensuring you obtain the best price as well as reducing unnecessary voids. Recently Anthony Webb achieved top rents on three properties furnished to a very high standard – we managed to attract high end tenants within the first week of marketing and our professional photos, selling a lifestyle, I think most definitely helped!”