A portion of Cobbles’ Guildford properties are let to students and young professionals. These tenants often prefer to rent furnished properties, as they don’t yet have their own furniture and may not be ready to put down roots. 

In this blog, we answer some of the common questions landlords ask about letting a furnished property.

1.     Should I let my property furnished?

Yes, but only if the market is right. For example, if you bought your investment property with students or short-term tenants in mind, it’s a good idea to let it furnished. Likewise, if it’s in an area where many furnished properties are let, it’s a good idea to go with the existing trend and meet your tenants’ expectations.

On the other hand, if you are letting, say, a family house, you would usually let it unfurnished. This is because families tend to have their own furniture, and often prefer to use it so they don’t have to worry about wear and tear. 

2.     What items should I put in a furnished property before I rent it out?

The standard list of items is:

·       Kitchen fixtures

·       White goods: cooker, fridge, freezer, washing machine

·       Bathroom fixtures

·       Carpets or other types of flooring

·       Curtains or blinds

·       Sofas and/or armchairs

·       Dining table and chairs

·       Tableware – plates, cups, cutlery etc

·       Wardrobes

·       Chests of drawers

·       Beds

Some landlords also put pictures on the walls and include other decorative items, or additional furniture like a coffee table or a vanity unit. We recommend doing your homework (we can help you!) to find out whether providing extras is typical for the type of property you are renting, or if basic furnishings will be more acceptable. 

3.     What safety standards must furniture meet? 

Beds, sofas, easy chairs and cushions, as well as any nursery furniture, must meet BS7177. This means that it complies with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988, i.e. it is safe and fire-retardant. Tenants have the right to check that furnishings comply with these regulations, and have them changed if they do not. 

Landlords should furnish to the required standard from the outset. This means that, should anything happen in your rental property, you will be protected and secure in the knowledge that you did everything you could to make the property safe for you tenants. 

4.     How much will it cost to furnish a property for rental?

In a four-bedroom house of multiple occupancy, you can expect to furnish the whole property to a basic standard for approximately £2,500. The bigger the house, the greater the savings on each item. 

If you are considering furnishing to a higher – or even luxury - standard, we recommend looking at the existing market for your type of property, and checking that you are aligned to your tenants’ expectations. While unnecessary over-furnishing can be costly, achieving a quality look will be a sound investment if it attracts the right tenants. 

5.     How much more can I rent a furnished property for?

A recent study by a major property portal found that tenants pay approximately 21% more for a furnished property than for an unfurnished property of the same size.  This means that, while furnishing a property prior to renting it will mean a large initial outlay, there is a possibility you will make your money back in due course.

Let furnished property in Guildford

The Cobbles team are experienced with all aspects of letting property in Guildford and the surrounding area. If you have any questions about letting furnished property, or any other landlord responsibilities, we’d be happy to help. Please get in touch on 01483 457 000 – we’d love to hear from you.