The pros and cons of fully furnished apartments
When considering moving into a furnished apartment, the first thing you should understand is the advantages and disadvantages. Understanding both will make it easier to decide whether it is right for you.merit
The advantage of a furnished apartment is that you don't have to buy all the furniture and appliances from scratch when you move in.The minimum amount of furniture and appliances are provided, so if you bring along the essentials and personal items when you move in, you can start living as usual. If you want to make an empty room comfortable, there are a lot of items you need to prepare.
If the appliances are already included from the start, you won't have to worry about questions like "Which one should I choose?", "How should I make it as cheap as possible?", "Is the size just right?", etc. Compared to a regular rental apartment, the initial costs for a furnished apartment are lower.
The biggest benefit is that it reduces the financial and physical burden associated with moving.
Disadvantages
There are two major disadvantages to furnished apartments.First of all, the rent is higher than that of a typical rental apartment, about 20 to 30 percent higher.
Another drawback is that you cannot choose the furniture and appliances that you like. Of course, the design and ease of use are a problem, but the biggest disadvantage is that they are "second-hand goods." You cannot dispose of the furniture and appliances that are provided just because you "don't like them." The basic style will be to "put up with it and use it." People who are particular about furniture and appliances need to be especially careful.
Characteristics of people who feel comfortable living in furnished apartments
Whether or not you find a furnished apartment comfortable will depend on what you value most. People who fit the following three characteristics are more likely to be able to live comfortably.People who don't mind second-hand furniture and appliances
Those who have no aversion to second-hand goods will find it easy to live comfortably in an apartment equipped with furniture and appliances.Although the furniture and appliances in the room have been thoroughly cleaned and maintained, they have been used by someone else. There are cases where you may feel, not logically but emotionally, that "I don't like it when someone else uses it." Because these are things you use every day, it is not recommended to ignore these feelings. It would be better to look at properties that do not come with furniture and appliances.
On the other hand, for those who think, "I don't care if it's second-hand, but I can use it," or "It's enough if it has the minimum functionality," an apartment with furniture and appliances, where the necessary items are provided from the start, is attractive. If the furniture and appliances in question are treated as "additional equipment," you can leave it to the landlord to deal with any malfunctions. Except in cases of intentional damage, tenants will not be responsible for repair or replacement costs.
People who want to keep moving costs as low as possible
Moving can be expensive. For those who want to keep costs as low as possible from signing a rental contract to moving in, we recommend a furnished apartment. You can use the money you save on moving costs to create a comfortable space.As mentioned in the disadvantages section, furnished apartments do have some inconveniences. That's why the important thing is whether you can accept and understand those inconveniences.
If you have a strong desire to "keep the burden of moving expenses as low as possible," you will likely be able to accept some inconvenience. You will also be more likely to appreciate the furniture and appliances provided and feel more comfortable.
People who don't care about the layout of the room
One of the things that people often dissatisfied with about furnished apartments is the layout of the room. If the furniture and appliances are provided, it will be difficult to change the layout later on. You will continue to use the room in the same style as when you moved in. If you don't have any particular preferences for the layout of your room to begin with, you will be less likely to feel dissatisfied. You will likely be able to simply accept the style that is provided and live comfortably.
Furnished apartments come equipped with:
The comfort of living in an apartment with furniture and appliances will vary depending on what is actually provided. The main furniture and appliances are as follows:- 【furniture】
・Sofas, living room tables, TV stands, desks, chairs, storage shelves, beds, curtains, etc.
[Home appliances]
・Air conditioner・Refrigerator・Washing machine・TV・Stove (IH)
・Lighting fixtures, etc.
Depending on the property, some of these items may not be included. As with a typical rental apartment, you will need to bring in any missing furniture or appliances yourself.
If you are looking for an apartment with furniture and appliances, and are particular about comfort, first try to clarify "what do you need?" If you think a "sofa" is essential to your comfort, then you should choose an apartment with furniture and appliances and a sofa.
On the other hand, some people may think, "Because it is an important item for a comfortable stay, I want to choose it myself." In this case, it would be more comfortable to live without a sofa. If you choose a property by being as clear as possible about what you need and what you don't, you will be more likely to find your ideal room.
Things to be aware of when signing a lease for an apartment with furniture and appliances
When signing a contract for an apartment with furniture and appliances, there are some points to be aware of that you won't find with other properties. Be sure to be aware of these points beforehand to prevent any trouble after you move in. Specifically, pay attention to the following four points.- ・About the contractual treatment of furniture and appliances ・How to respond in the event of a breakdown ・About the condition of the furniture and appliances actually installed ・About the collection of unwanted furniture and appliances
If the contract states that it is an "additional facility," the landlord will be responsible for repairs or replacements in the event of a breakdown. The landlord will cover the costs unless there are circumstances such as "the tenant has damaged it intentionally or carelessly."
If you move in without understanding the rules, you may end up paying for repairs that you shouldn't have to pay. If you check how things should be handled in the event of a breakdown before signing the contract, you'll be able to deal with the situation smoothly in the event of an emergency.
Also, be sure to check the condition of the furnished furniture and appliances in as much detail as possible. It's difficult to get an accurate picture of the situation just from the words "furnished and appliances included" on the contract. If possible, go and see the property and see it with your own eyes.
Even if the apartment has a refrigerator, you won't know if it has enough capacity until you see it. If there is built-in furniture, it will be difficult to change the layout. Make sure that it will not affect the comfort of the apartment. Also check the furniture carefully for stains and scratches, and if there are any concerns, check with the person in charge on the spot.
If there are any items that you feel you don't need, it's a good idea to discuss how to handle them when signing the lease. If the management company or landlord takes away any unnecessary furniture or appliances, it will be easier to create a more comfortable space that suits your preferences.
How to Find a Furnished Apartment
The number and types of furnished apartments are increasing, but compared to regular rental apartments, there are still only a few. Many people may be wondering, "How should I search for one?" The following two methods are recommended for finding a furnished apartment.- ・Contact a real estate agency directly and tell them you want to find an apartment with furniture and appliances. ・On a real estate website, check "furnished" to narrow down the property listings.
- - In which area should I search for a property to find an apartment with furniture and appliances?
・What kind of furniture and appliances are included?
What is the atmosphere around the property?
You can get this information right away. If you find a property that interests you, you may be able to view it right away. The biggest advantage of contacting a real estate agent directly is that you can move the discussion forward quickly toward a contract.
On the other hand, if you're thinking about moving but haven't made a firm decision yet, or if you're too busy with work to visit a real estate agency, a convenient way to do so is to use a real estate information website. Some rental property information websites have a feature that allows you to filter your search by whether or not the property includes furniture and appliances. Another attractive feature is that you can filter your search by other conditions, such as the desired area, rent, and size. You can search in your spare time and get the latest property information.
If you contact a real estate company after finding a real estate website, they may contact you if a property with similar conditions becomes available. With a real estate company on your side, you can smoothly proceed with your search for a furnished apartment.
Flow of moving into a furnished apartment
What is the procedure for moving into a furnished apartment? We will briefly introduce the process if you find a property that interests you on a real estate website, so please use it as a reference.Visit the room in person
If you find information about a furnished apartment that interests you, the first thing to do is contact the real estate company listed on the site.By clicking the "Contact Us" button on the property website, you can let the person in charge know that you would like to view the property. Wait for the person in charge to contact you, and then arrange your schedule to come and view the property.
As mentioned earlier, when viewing an apartment that comes with furniture and appliances, it is essential to check the furniture and appliances that are installed. If you make a list of the points you need to check in advance, you can avoid missing anything.
If there are no problems, proceed to the contract.
If there are no problems during the viewing, you can proceed to the contract. What documents you need to prepare and by when will depend on various conditions. Follow the instructions of the real estate agent and proceed with the procedure. If you have any concerns or questions, it is a good idea to check them at this stage. Once you are satisfied with everything, proceed to the actual contract.
Receive your room key and move in
Once the contract is complete, you will decide on a move-in date. If everything goes smoothly, you will be able to move in within about 1-2 weeks. However, if you are not successful in the rental screening process or repairs and cleaning take time, it may take up to a month from signing the contract to moving in. On the day you move in, receive the keys from the real estate agency and begin the moving process at your new home. It is recommended that you check that the electrical appliances attached to the apartment are working once the electricity is turned on. If there are any problems, report them to the real estate agency and ask them to deal with them.
summary
Although furnished apartments are convenient, many people say that they are not comfortable to live in. In reality, the key point is whether you can move in after fully understanding the advantages and disadvantages. Even if they are not suitable for long-term living, they are perfectly comfortable for short-term stays. Take into consideration the characteristics of each property and search for the property that best suits you.
