If you’re on the hunt for a new place to hang your hat, you might think about renting a furnished apartment.
These types of places have pros and cons, so you should carefully consider your options.
If you’re a busy student, for example, it may eliminate a lot of moving-related stress (who likes moving furniture?).
But you won’t be able to select the furniture you like.
Hard decision, right?
Taking the time to look at the advantages and disadvantages will help you find a place that suits your lifestyle.
After all, your goal should be to find a home that helps you stay happy and productive.
I’ve compiled this guide to help you make your decision. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of renting a furnished apartment.
Pros of Renting a Furnished Apartment:
1. Less Stress
The act of moving can be very stressful. Renting a pre-furnished place can alleviate a lot of that stress.
Typically, they allow for a much smoother move, since all you have to transport are personal belongings.
They’re also practical for people who need to move very quickly.
When the unit already has furniture in it, moving time is cut in half! Woohoo!
2. Shorter Leases
Management companies tend to advertise furnished apartments as short-term rentals. As a student, renting an apartment with a shorter lease is ideal.
Short-term apartment living is great for students or people who temporarily relocate for business.
Life is already busy enough, which makes it convenient to move in and out whenever you want. Who wants to deal with being locked into a yearly lease when you’re only in school 15 weeks at a time?
3. Opportunity to Embrace Minimalism
If minimalism is your thing, a pre-furnished place can be a dream come true.
And if you’re not already a minimalist, what better time to embrace your inner Marie Kondo than now?
For collectors and clutterers, furnished apartments aren’t the best choice. You might have to purge some stuff to fit it all in your space.
But maybe that’s not the worst thing in the world…
Yes, it can be hard to part with your vintage record collection. But if it’s not going to fit, you’ll have to figure out a solution. Sorry, but it’s true!
4. Cost-efficiency
Renting a furnished apartment will help you save money.
After all, you won’t have to go out and buy a sofa or tables and chairs. Some of those things cost an arm and a leg, plus you’ll have to pay to move them later!
If you’re on a tight budget and don’t own any furniture, a furnished place could be a good fit for you.
Think about how much money you could put away instead of spending it on new furniture and moving expenses!
Cons of Renting a Furnished Apartment:
1. Fewer Options
Do you love decorating apartment interiors?
If so, you might not want to rent a furnished place. You won’t be able to get that Retro Square Arm Sofa you’ve had your eye on if the apartment already has a couch!
You could find yourself stuck with ugly furniture for an entire year. So if design is important to you, ask the landlord for pictures before you move in.
You may have no other option but to live in a furnished apartment, especially if it’s a temporary living situation. In that case, you’ll have to make do with what you have and find ways to incorporate your decorative touch.
Don’t worry, though. There are plenty of ways to make your apartment feel like home. A few pieces of artwork can brighten up your living room and some decorative pillows can add some color to a generic bed.
2. Higher Security Deposit
Renting a furnished apartment can mean having to pay a higher security deposit. After all, you’re not only responsible for protecting the unit itself – you’re also responsible for protecting the landlord’s furniture.
For this reason, furnished places aren’t the most pet-friendly apartments in the world. In fact, many landlords charge an extra fee for pet owners. If Fido tears up the couch, you could be out $1000!
When it comes to furnished rentals, a higher security deposit is not uncommon. Think about it: if the furniture gets damaged, your landlord will need to repair or replace it.
Make sure to consider this before making your decision.
3. Higher Rent
Similar to paying a higher security deposit, a fully-furnished apartment may cost more in rent (not always, but sometimes).
Again, you will have to weigh your options and decide whether you can afford rented furniture. Do the math before you decide on which option is best for you.
If you can’t afford a furnished place, or furniture, you may have to resort to asking family or friends for help. That’s okay! People are always looking to get rid of old couches and beds, so you might not have a problem furnishing your pad.
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Hopefully, these pros and cons have equipped you to make a well-informed decision.
Even if you’re not sure which option is best for you, take all of these factors into account. Trust me; you’ll be thankful you took the time to think it over!
Likely, you don’t have time to worry about furniture. Even though you love to decorate, it’s best to put your decorative dreams on hold for now.
If you have the time to spare and you already own furniture, an unfurnished apartment is the way to go!
The important part is to figure out what will make you happy and start the move-in process. It’s time to settle in and enjoy your new digs, whether you rent it furnished or not!
Author bio:
Kevan is the Lease-Up Specialist for The Verve in New Brunswick, NJ. He grew up in Southeast Michigan, graduating from Michigan State College of Law in 2017.
