Is It Better to Rent a House Furnished or Unfurnished in Surrey?  

Should you rent your Surrey property furnished or unfurnished? Elmbridge Borough Council statistics show that Elmbridge average monthly rent is the highest outside London, and you may want your property to reach its full earning potential.  

Furnished rentals are considered to unlock higher monthly rents, yet they are not always the best fit. Certain tenants prefer unfurnished houses, to make the rental property feel like home with their own furniture. Others want to walk into a house that’s ready to live in.  

Whether you rent out a spacious family home in Esher or Cobham or an apartment that’s ideally situated for young professionals, read our guide. In this guide, we set out the pros and cons to help you decide whether it’s better to let furnished or unfurnished properties in Surrey.  

What is the difference between furnished and unfurnished property?  

Don’t let the name mislead you, it’s usual for landlords to supply fixtures and fittings in an unfurnished house, such as flooring, fitted cabinets and large appliances. A fully furnished property should also include essential furniture such as chairs, tables, beds and storage. Some landlords offer a part furnished rental property, with just a few larger items of furniture. 

In any event, tenancy agreements should take the property’s furnished status into account, setting out tenants’ responsibilities for upkeep. Landlords can also take out more extensive contents insurance to ward against the costs of damage. 

Unfurnished Rental Property 

An unfurnished house in Surrey should contain white goods, . 

• Curtains or blinds 
• Carpets or hard flooring 
• Fridge freezer 
• Cooker 
• Washing machine and perhaps a dishwasher 
• Kitchen cabinets 
• Bathroom suite 
• Light fittings 

Furnished Rental Property  

A fully furnished property will include all of the fixtures and fittings of an unfurnished property, with the addition of furniture that’s needed for everyday life.  

• Beds 
• Wardrobes 
• Chests of drawers 
• Sofa and armchairs 
• Coffee table 
• Dining table and chair 

At your discretion, you may choose to provide kitchen appliances (such as a microwave, kettle and toaster), an iron and ironing board, vacuum cleaner, TV or even crockery and cutlery. 

Do renters prefer furnished or unfurnished homes?  

Whether your target market prefers furnished or unfurnished houses depends on the type of tenant. Families often bring their own furniture with them – they are usually looking for a longer-term home, rather than a base. However, students, young professionals and renters who are relocating may prefer to move straight into a furnished apartment. 

Is it best to rent furnished or unfurnished?  

You can often charge a higher monthly rent for a furnished property, though not always – keep the local property market in mind when you decide if furnished or unfurnished is better for you, as well as the costs.  

Landlords renting out furnished homes have to ensure that soft furnishings comply with the Fire and Furnishings Act, and budget for replacements due to wear and tear over time. Tenants can ask for a furnished property to be rented unfurnished, though you don’t have to agree. 

Furnished property pros & cons  

Advantages of letting furnished property  

• The potential to charge a higher rent. 
• Fully furnished properties can attract students or young professionals. 
• New tenants are often in a position to move in quickly. 
• Properties furnished to a good standard can look welcoming to potential tenants. 

Disadvantages of letting furnished property  

• Families and couples often want to choose their own surroundings. 
• Tenant turnover can be higher. 
• Any soft furnishings must comply with the Fire and Furnishings Act. 
• You need to budget for the cost of replacing furniture. 
• Electrical items you supply need to be PAT tested. 
• The inventory will be longer and end of tenancy cleaning involves more work. 
• More items to cover on your landlord contents insurance. 

Unfurnished property pros & cons  

Advantages of letting unfurnished property   

• Generally popular with families. 
• Cheaper to rent out with fewer items to replace. 
• Long-term tenants they attract could save the costs and effort of finding new tenants. 
• Unfurnished properties may qualify for council tax relief during short void periods. 
• End of tenancy cleaning can be quicker. 

Disadvantages of letting unfurnished property  

• Unfurnished properties are less attractive to tenants relocating for a limited time. 
• Students generally don’t want the expense of buying their own furniture. 
• You may not always achieve a higher level of rent. 

Explore our other guides for landlords covering topics such as statutory periodic tenancies, or when you have to pay council tax on a property.

We hope that we have given you food for thought about whether to rent your house furnished or unfurnished. However, it may help to talk things over. Contact Davies Property Partners to discuss your Surrey property. We will gladly lend our expertise in the Thames Ditton, Hinchley Wood and Claygate rental markets.