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Renting furnished, semi-furnished, or unfurnished accommodation?
Let's explore the differences
As a tenant, there are several options available to you when it comes to choosing your home. In particular, you must decide how long you will occupy the unit. This will affect the type of rental that is best suited to your situation. Will you opt for renting furnished, semi-furnished, or unfurnished accommodation?
Let’s review the various options, to understand the differences between the types of rental arrangements that are offered.
Furniture included or not included
Renting furnished accommodation
What does « furnished accommodation » mean? This is a unit that comes with all the furniture a person needs to live comfortably. Thus, the main furniture of each room will normally be present.
The living room will have a sofa, a side table, light fixtures, and maybe even a bookshelf. In the bedroom, you can expect to find a bed, a nightstand, a dresser, and sometimes a work desk. The kitchen and dining room will have all the appliances as well as a table and chairs.
Renting fully furnished accommodation
And what does « fully furnished » mean? Fully furnished accommodation will be even more fully equipped than furnished accommodation. You can move into the unit and live there without having to buy a single household item.
Tenants must be able to move in with their suitcase and feel ready to live in the home. The kitchen is therefore equipped with utensils, crockery, glasses, pots and pans, and table linens. In the bathroom, the shower curtain is provided, as are the towels. As for the bedroom, the bedding is complete. The entire unit is even provided with decorative elements.
It should be noted that personal items and food are not included in the rental offer of fully furnished accommodation.
Here are 10 advantages of fully furnished short-term rental.
Renting semi-furnished accommodation
There are also semi-furnished rentals available. In general, a semi-furnished unit has the two main appliances in the kitchen, namely the stove and the refrigerator. Sometimes large basic furniture such as a sofa, bed, table and chairs can also be included.
Don’t expect to find kitchen utensils in a semi-furnished unit, whereas they are included in a fully furnished unit.
Renting unfurnished accommodation
Finally, as to the option of unfurnished accommodation, the description is very simple: an empty unit. No furniture and no appliances. In general, permanent fixtures are included, but everything else is the responsibility of the tenant. This is ideal when you need to relocate with all of your household possessions. It’s also the most common formula on the market.
Note that the rent for an unfurnished apartment is generally lower than that of a comparable furnished apartment.
Short-, medium- and long-term rentals
The durations of the rentals
Short-term rental generally refers to a rental contract of less than 31 days, whereas medium-term rental normally lasts more than 31 days, but less than a year. Some landlords offer the option to extend by the day, week, or month. Usually, these two types of temporary rentals do not constitute the tenant’s permanent primary residence.
Long-term rental usually requires a lease of 12 months or more. By default, the lease is automatically renewed with the same terms unless notification to the contrary. With a few exceptions, this type of accommodation is the tenant’s permanent primary residence.
Temporary rental
Short- or medium-term rental generally offers greater flexibility. However, these can result in higher rates, as they are often fully equipped and offered with turnkey service.
Temporary rental can be a more economical alternative to staying in hotels or tourist accommodation. These types of rentals can be found in the classified ad section and on specialized Websites listing tourist accommodation or collaborative rentals. These more touristic rentals do not offer the same framework and customer service as medium-term rental units. In addition, insurance and on-site services differ greatly.
Temporary rental is ideal for people who are:
- In a region for professional reasons.
- Visiting friends or family members for an extended period of time.
- Travelling on short- and medium-term visas.
- Waiting for closing on the sale or purchase of a home.
- Renovating their primary residence.
- Going through a separation.
- Victims of a disaster.
- Looking for flexibility.
Temporary rental is ideal for companies that require:
- Housing for foreign labour.
- Accommodation for senior management.
- Lodging during external contracts.
- A pool of accommodation tailored to their needs.
Long-term rental
Long-term rental is suitable for people looking to settle down in an area for a long period of time. This type of rental is right for you if you are looking for stability, or if you want to establish yourself firmly in a specific location.
There are a few reasons to consider long-term rental:
- Reduce the frequency of travel.
- Start a family.
- Enroll in a school or university.
- Get a permanent job.
- Avoid the hassle of owning property.
Renting furnished or unfurnished accommodation: What is the best option?
When it comes to choosing between renting a furnished or unfurnished unit, you have to consider your needs. Your personal preferences also have a role to play in your decision. Similarly, how long you want to stay in the same place will tip the scales one way or the other. Have a good look at all the options before you make your choice.
For expert advice on fully furnished temporary accommodation, contact an Arrow agent with confidence.
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