Tenants: Furnished Rentals vs. Unfurnished Rentals
Finding an apartment can be difficult, especially with all of the different options available, but Lodgis is here to help making the process that much easier. We have made a list of Pros and Cons to help you decide whether a furnished or an unfurnished apartment is right for you.
Unfurnished Rentals
CONS
- Higher initial costs
One of the biggest disadvantages of renting an unfurnished apartment is the upfront cost in terms of buying furniture and appliances. Because the apartment is completely empty, you will need to buy all of the furniture to fill it, such as beds and bedding, a sofa, tables and chairs, plates, bowls, cups, kitchen utensils, and potentially kitchen appliances such as a stove, an oven, a microwave, etc. This can be a large up-front cost that is not calculated in your real estate project. - Utilities may not be inclulded in the rent
Another disadvantage is that you may have to open accounts for your utilities and pay for them individually. Utilities are generally not included in the rent cost of unfurnished apartments because tenants usually have longer leases and therefore it is the responsibility of the tenant to handle all payments for utilities such as: gas, electricity, and trash pick-up. - Longer and less flexible leases
The length of the lease can also be considered a disadvantage because it is usually for a much longer period than that of a furnished apartment. Unfurnished apartment leases are usually for a period of 3 years and can last up to 6, which can be seen as a big commitment for renters that may be in a situation where they move around quite a bit such as students, interns, and young professionals. And breaking a lease for an unfurnished rental takes more time than for a furnished one. If your plans change and you find yourself needing to break your lease and move to another area, you will need to give at least 3 months’ notice to your landlord before you are able to move out.PROS
- You can design the décor and choose the furniture
One advantage of renting an unfurnished apartment is that you are free to decorate your new space however you like and pick out all of the furniture. - Slightly lower rent and security deposit costs
Because the owner is not obligated to furnish the apartment, you may find that the rent prices are slightly lower than those of a furnished apartment with similar square footage in similar areas. It is also for this reason that landlords can only ask for a security deposit amounting to a maximum of 1 months’ rent as opposed to 2 months’ for a furnished apartment.Furnished Rentals
CONS
- The furniture and decor was chosen by the owner
Because the furniture has been chosen by the landlord, it is possible that the furniture and décor won’t be to your tastes and the space can feel impersonal or less like home than they would if you had picked the furniture and décor out yourself. - Slightly higher rent and security deposits
In a furnished apartment you will typically see that rent prices are slightly higher than the price of an unfurnished apartment (10 – 20%) as the landlord must furnish the apartments themselves. You may also notice that landlords have the ability to ask for a security deposit amounting to a maximum of 2 months in order to protect their investment in buying the furniture already. And although there are plenty of choices out there, you may find that the largest selection of furnished apartments have less square footage. Smaller furnished apartments are generally the most popular.PROS
- Save money on furniture and moving costs
The most obvious advantage of a furnished rental is that the furniture is already there when you move in! And there are strict rules about the furniture and appliances that must be in the apartment for it to be considered furnished. Every furnished apartment must have: - Bedding with a comforter or blanket
- Shutters, blinds, or curtains in the bedrooms
- Tables and chairs
- Shelves
- Hot plates / stove
- Oven or microwave
- Refrigerator and freezer or freezing compartment
- Kitchen utensils
- Cleaning suppliesAll furnished rentals will come with the items listed above and many go even further by adding furniture and items for the tenants’ comfort and entertainment (TV, WIFI, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, coffee machine, iron, etc.).
Click HERE to see our selection of furnished aparatments in Paris.
- A more advantageous lease
What may come as a surprise to many renters are all of the other benefits of choosing a furnished rental, such as the length of your lease. Furnished apartments generally offer leases that are much shorter and therefore easier for those who are in situations in which they move around quite a bit. A traditional lease for a furnished apartment lasts 1 year for professionals and 9 months for students, but there is another option called the Bail Mobilité. This new type of lease is perfect for students and professionals alike who need short term accommodation in order to complete their professional assignments or study periods. The Bail Mobilité offers leases anywhere between 1 to 10 months, which adapts perfectly for those who qualify. The Bail Mobilité also does not include a security deposit, and agency fees are capped at 12€/m², all of which helps to bring down the large sum of money that would need to be put down at the beginning of your move. In order to be eligible to benefit from this lease, you must be moving for one of the following reasons: - Graduate studies
- Internships or apprenticeships
- Professional training
- Professional changes
- Temporary professional assignment
- Civic engagement
- A shorter notice if you need to leave
Another advantage of a furnished apartment is that it takes less time to break your lease if you find that you must leave the apartment early. If your plans change in the middle of your current lease and you find yourself having to move earlier than expected, you must notify your landlord of your departure at least 1 month in advance if you live in a furnished apartment. Compared to an unfurnished apartment, in which you would have to give 3 months’ notice, it is much easier to break a lease for a furnished apartment. - Utilities included in the rent
Certain utility bills are also often included in the cost of the rent for furnished rentals because the leases are generally shorter and it is easier for the landlord to have one account rather than have each tenant try to change their accounts over to the new address. The utilities can include electricity, water, heating, TV, Internet, etc. but each situation with different landlords will be different in this regard. - A quicker and easier move
Finally, moving into a furnished rental is much quicker and easier than moving into an unfurnished rental. Everything is already there, you don’t have to spend extra money on furniture and appliances. All you need is to pick up the keys, and move yourself and your clothes into your new space. So if you need a space right away, a furnished rental is right for you.Click HERE to see our selection of furnished aparatments in Paris.Here is a table of the pros and cons of each type of rental:
We hope this information was useful in helping you pick which type of rental, whether it be furnished or unfurnished, is right for you. And if you’re looking for an apartment, let Lodgis help! We have plenty of options for you in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Toulouse to help making moving to France as easy as possible.
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Lodgis offers a fabulous selection of furnished apartments for rent. We offer over 7,500 properties, from studio to family apartments with period features, spacious dining and living areas, terraces, elevator access…and just about anything!
