Panicking over furnishing choices for tenants

[Mummy578485]

We are having to rent out our one bedroom flat while at move abroad and I'm desperate for advice on furnishings. We're trying to keep costs down and need to make purchases speedily, so we can't make-to-order anything and we are limited to buying things that are available within 2-3 weeks.

The flat is painted cream and has new light oak floors. We have a budget of about £2500 to furnish the living room and bedroom.

We picked out some ivory painted oak furniture but are having a last minute panic that it won't match the floor - the table tops are a slightly brighter side of oak. Maybe we should be going with all white furniture?

We're looking at furniture in the sales at the higher end - Cotswold Company, as well as M&S and Argos. Not all of it has to be hard wearing and it would be nice when we come back to use some of the nicer pieces in our next home.

We live in a nice and expensive area so we are trying to get furniture in the sales to reflect the higher rent. But we are struggling with choosing from all the options and at the same time limited by our budget. Are we overthinking? Please any advice!

[HennyPennyHorror]

Is there a reason you're renting it furnished? As a tenant, furnished places have never attracted me.

[BluntAndToThePoint]

I agree with the PP - when we used to rent we only wanted properties that were unfurnished. Spend some money on decent blinds for the windows and light fittings for the ceilings, etc. Most people will have their own bedroom furniture etc and a lot will potentially turn down a property if they can't use their own stuff - they will not want to pay storage fees for their own furniture. If you are providing things in the kitchen, eg a dishwasher, make sure that it is good quality (and less likely to break down) as that was the one thing we could never afford years ago when we were renting (and was the first thing we bought when we eventually bought our own property).

[RhubarbTea]

I have only ever rented unfurnished properties, in fact I regard furnished as a massive pain because I have my own furniture I want to use which I'd have to put into storage, or approach the landlord about whether it is possible to have the property without their furniture. I usually don't even bother asking as it's a huge ball-ache.
So maybe you need to rethink?

[milienhaus]

It does depend on the market though - in cities if you’re renting to young professionals rather than families they will expect furnished! I’ve had furnished everywhere I’ve rented for that reason.

[LoafofSellotape]

Not all of it has to be hard wearing and it would be nice when we come back to use some of the nicer pieces in our next home

Don't put anything in a rental that you want to use again or will be upset if it's ruined. I speak from experience.

[Mummy578485]

Thanks all for the advice. Panic is over, we kept the magnolia walls, got new painted ivory and wood furniture (mix of M&S, outlet stores and independent shops during the bank holiday sales) and a pale yellow sofa. It is so lovely and I'm a bit sorry we didn't decorate for ourselves.

The city we live in is a university town with an excess of academics and young professionals from around the country and abroad so we furnished with them in mind. Given the tiny size of the flat, I would have found it very unlikely that tenants would have turned up with furniture, or even furniture that would fit. It wass a challenge to get the right sizes of everything to keep the flat balanced and somewhat spacious but I think we succeeded. We received an offer at our asking rent on the second viewing.

After the costs we will break even (comparing with renting unfinished). The agents recommended furnished would rent quicker and as time was the premium for us I think we made right choice. Hopefully the furniture will keep well to use later or resell.

[IndistinctRadioChatter]

Wait, did you definitely rent it as furnished? Forgive me if you’ve already answered that. If the tenant saw the place empty when he decided to rent it I think s/he would be planning to furnish it on their own. I wouldn’t assume they will have no furniture just because it’s a small flat.

[Pipandmum]

I have a flat in a university town and it’s always let to students. I use mostly IKEA furniture in white - the sofa covers are only £35 so cheap to replace, though I’m on my third lot of tenants and have never needed to!
One thing that interests me is they don’t ask for pots and pans especially as it’s an induction job.

[IndistinctRadioChatter]

Ignore that last post. I see it has been discussed.