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Furnished Vs Unfurnished

London's rentals market is booming right now. It's a great time to be a landlord for those who understand how to optimise the investment of London rentals. The furnished vs. unfurnished debate has a central part to play in this - where do tenant preferences lie in terms of furniture and, if you're going to furnish a property, how do you spend to get the best results?

What do tenants really want?

This is largely inconclusive. Surveys and statistics tend to come down on different sides of this argument - some tenants prefer to bring their own beds, sofas etc while others enjoy the luxury of walking into a fully furnished place. One thing that is certain - if you're targeting the short term rentals market in London then furnished is the only way to go. It's also no secret that furnished properties tend to be more acceptable at higher rents. So, that initial investment could potentially reap a much higher ongoing reward in terms of rental yields.

London properties - unfurnished

  • Tenants are responsible for the condition of everything in the property - if the bed breaks then it's nothing to do with the landlord and there's no obligation to repair.
  • There's evidence to suggest that some tenants may stay longer in a property if they've purchased their own furniture. However, this isn't as strong a factor as others such as lifestyle or work.
  • Potential tenants with furniture won't be put off. Not many people are so attached to their furniture that they would turn down a great property for it. However, some might.

The major downside of letting on an unfurnished basis is that tenants tend to expect the rent to be lower. You may also end up attracting tenants looking for a property they don't have to take much care over.

London properties - furnished

  • The number of tenants looking for furnished properties tends to be higher in areas such as Islington, Bethnal Green and Hackney - in fact across London. So, you're more likely to let a property faster if it's furnished.
  • As tenants don't have to make any big purchases when they move into a furnished property, they are more open to a higher rent and feel they're getting more for their money.
  • An initial investment in furnishing a property can last for multiple tenancies if you pick the right furniture and the right tenants.
  • Any damage can be deducted from tenant deposits and there may be tax breaks as a result of any purchases that you make.
  • A good looking furnished property can attract a better class of tenant, more likely to look after both the furniture and the property itself.

Letting a property furnished does mean making an initial up front investment. However, smart interiors choices and a little design expertise can achieve great results on a minimum budget. For example, Storeys offers a service that can transform your rental property for just £2,000.

Whether you let furnished or unfurnished, having the right management in place is essential. Storeys supports landlords with both furnished and unfurnished properties - contact us to find out more.



Services

Residential lettings
We pride ourselves on being genuine industry experts, providing a positive experience, from enquiry to after care. Storeys focuses exclusively on lettings, and we value properties, we don’t just list them. Knowledge and innovation mean we can be competitive on costs while also delivering an individually tailored service.
Property management
Storeys is a bespoke offering based on the fundamental principle of value for money – we want happy customers. Paperless tech and eSigning deliver efficiency and convenience, no high street office minimises costs. The result is a streamlined service nimble enough to tailor what we do to suit your needs.
Valuation
Aesthetics, natural light, building quality, and overall finish – these aren’t ‘extras’ in a Storeys valuation, they’re as much a part of the process as size, condition and location. We look at individual property potential, not generic criteria. Factors like space for modern living arrangements, such as flexible working, are incorporated too. Our valuations are all the more accurate and successful for it. There is a perfect tenant for every property if you know how to find them.
Short-term lettings
Providing value for tenants and continuity for landlords, Storeys short-term lets run from 4 weeks to 6 months. We work with major London relocation teams and a global contacts network to match international tenants to perfect London properties.
Vacant property Management
We can manage your vacant property in-between tenancies or refurbishment, giving you peace of mind that the property is being looked after and inspected on a regular basis.
Superior Marketing
There is just no comparison between static photos and VR when it comes to property marketing. VR allows tenants to do a virtual walk around and get a realistic feel for the property - their expectations are grounded in reality, and properly managed. This makes VR a very effective tool, not just for generating interest and viewings but also converting those to offers. That’s why we partner with VRPM to create a virtual reality perspective for every property we handle.
Airbnb Management
We can manage your Airbnb account and make sure each booking runs smoothly, keys are always available for handover and the property is ready for the next occupation. This can run very well alongside our short-term corporate letting service.
Rent Protection
If your tenant defaults on the rent, Storeys have you covered. We also cover your legal expsenses and pay you rental income if your property is vacant whilst we remarket for new tenants. Don’t worry Storeys have your back.*ask a member of the team for more info. This service is included for every Storeys managed property.