What are furnished and appliance-equipped properties?

A property with furniture and appliances is a typical rental apartment that comes equipped with furniture and appliances. This is particularly common in one-room apartments for single people, and is gaining attention as a property that reduces the burden of moving in.

Common amenities found in furnished apartments include:

• illumination
• Air conditioning
• refrigerator
• washing machine
• curtain

Some examples include:

In addition, well-equipped apartments may also come equipped with relaxing items such as a television, sofa, and rugs.

The specific equipment provided will vary depending on the property, so be sure to check the details carefully before signing the contract.

Differences from rental properties and monthly apartments

When considering moving into a furnished apartment, you may be wondering about the differences between a furnished apartment and a regular rental property or monthly apartment. Each has its own unique characteristics, so it's a good idea to understand the details before choosing the type that's right for you.

First of all, the difference between a regular rental property and a private apartment is whether or not the room comes equipped with furniture and appliances.

In addition, compared to regular rental properties, the rent is higher because of the added value. There are many cases where regular rental properties that are difficult to find tenants for are converted into apartments with furniture and appliances in order to attract tenants.

In terms of the contract process, types, and screening procedures, there is probably no difference between a regular rental property and a property with furniture and appliances.

On the other hand, monthly apartments and furnished apartments have different contract types.

Monthly apartments, which allow short-term contracts of 30 days or more and immediate occupancy, are a good alternative to a hotel for living in for a few months to a year.

Although the rent is higher than for furnished properties, most properties do not require any deposit, key money, or brokerage fees. In many cases, utility fees are also included in the rent, making it easier to stabilize living expenses.

Comparison of features of rental properties, furnished properties, and monthly apartments

If you're having trouble deciding whether to choose a rental property, a furnished property, or a monthly apartment, check out the comparison table below.

Differences from monthly apartments

Both monthly apartments and furnished properties have the advantage of being "furnished" and "ready to move in immediately."

On the other hand, when it comes to costs, there is a huge difference.

Because there are no initial costs, monthly apartments tend to have higher rent. They are suitable for short-term stays, but if you plan to live there for a long period of time, the cost performance may not be as good.

Although the rent for furnished apartments is higher than that of regular rental properties, it is still not as expensive as a monthly apartment. These are more suitable for those who plan to live there for around one or two years.

Differences from rental properties

The biggest difference in cost between renting a property and a property that comes with furniture and appliances lies in the preparation stage of moving.

If you were to purchase a new set of furniture and appliances, the cost could run into the hundreds of thousands of yen. If the furniture and appliances are included, this burden can be reduced. The longer you stay in the property, the less economical the benefits will be, as the rent increases.

It is best to decide which option to choose based on how long you plan to stay.

Benefits of furnished apartments

There are many benefits to having a property with furniture and appliances included.

Reduce initial costs

As mentioned earlier, the advantage of choosing a property that comes with furniture and appliances is the lower initial costs.

When signing a lease for an apartment to go to university, you will incur various costs in addition to the contract fee. There may be cases where you think, "After paying the entrance fee and the apartment contract fee, I don't have any more money left!" If you choose a property that comes with furniture and appliances, you can save on the purchase cost.

It is advisable to choose a property that has as many amenities as possible.

You can move without buying furniture or appliances

When suddenly forced to move away from home for work, many people find themselves saying, "I don't have time to buy furniture and appliances for my new home."

If you choose a property that comes with furniture and appliances, you don't have to choose and go through the purchasing process from scratch. By simply signing a lease for an apartment, you can secure the minimum furniture and appliances necessary for daily life.

Reducing the amount of hassle before moving will give you more time and energy, and reduce the burden on yourself and your family.

You can move easily

When moving to a property that already has furniture and appliances, you don't have to carry the equipment that comes with it. A refrigerator and a washing machine are essential for daily life.

However, moving large and heavy home appliances can be a challenge. With a property that includes furniture and appliances, you can start your new life right away without having to go through the hassle of moving procedures, just by moving your everyday items.

This style also offers great benefits for those who want to save on moving costs.

Disadvantages of furnished apartments

While there are benefits, furnished properties also have a surprising number of disadvantages. In order to avoid the "this isn't what I expected" situation when choosing a property, be sure to check in advance whether you can tolerate the disadvantages.

Rent is higher than surrounding properties

Rent for furnished apartments tends to be higher than for regular rental properties.

The longer the contract period, the more the difference in price will become impossible to ignore. If you only check information on properties that come with furniture and appliances, you may overlook the price difference with regular rental properties.

Once you understand the approximate rent for each property, try to find a property with a rent price that you are happy with.

The longer you live, the worse the cost performance becomes.

Properties that come with furniture and appliances, which reduce the burden of initial costs, are more cost-effective the shorter the occupancy period.

On the other hand, if you plan to live there for more than two years, the total cost of regular renting will likely be cheaper. If the difference in rent between a furnished property and a regular rental property is 10,000 yen, the difference over two years will be 480,000 yen.

It may also be cheaper to purchase and transport your own furniture and appliances.

Furniture and appliances are not important

In a property that comes with furniture and appliances, you cannot purchase your favorite furniture and appliances from scratch. Basically, you will live in a lifestyle where you use what is provided in the house.

Many people are probably excited about purchasing the furniture and home appliances they need to start their new life.

In such cases, we recommend considering regular rental property, even if it involves some hassle and initial costs.

You may need to take action in the event of a breakdown.

Facilities installed in a property with furniture and appliances. Problems may arise when living there.

In such cases, you may be required to cover the cost of repairs or replacements. This is especially important if the damage was caused intentionally or through your own negligence.

New furniture and appliances cannot be used.

Please note that the equipment provided in furnished properties is generally second-hand, and you cannot choose new items.

Although the furniture will be thoroughly cleaned when a new user is added, some people may feel uncomfortable with something that was used by someone they don't know. You need to carefully consider whether or not it is acceptable.

Furniture and appliances cannot be removed

If you have purchased and own furniture or appliances yourself, you are free to dispose of them when you no longer need them.

On the other hand, you should be careful because you cannot remove the furniture and appliances provided by the apartment. Even if you don't use them, you have to keep them in the apartment.

This can limit the layout of the room.

How to find a property with furniture and appliances

You can search for furnished apartments in the same way as you would for a regular rental property. When asking a real estate agency for help, tell them that you are looking for a property that comes with furniture and appliances.

When using a real estate information site, you can easily find a property that meets your needs by narrowing down your search to "furnished and appliances included."

The number of properties with furniture and appliances varies greatly depending on the area. If you are having trouble finding what you are looking for, we recommend consulting with a real estate agent and changing the area.

Steps for moving into a property with furniture and appliances

Many people use moving companies when moving to a typical rental property. This is because it is difficult to transport large furniture and appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and dining tables by yourself.

If your new home comes with furniture and appliances, you may be able to complete the move without a moving company. All you need to do is carry your futon, kitchen items, clothes, and other personal items yourself, and your move will be complete.

Things to note about furnished properties

When considering a property with furniture and appliances, there are three points you should pay attention to.

Checking the facilities

If you are considering moving into a property that comes with furniture and appliances, it is essential to check the facilities in advance.

Equipment Type

Equipment Status

Make sure to check out these two carefully.

The type of furniture and appliances included in the set, and the extent to which you can use them, are points that will have a profound impact on your life after moving in.

Also, make sure to check to see if anything is broken from the start.

What to do when something goes wrong

Another point you should check in advance is who will handle the situation if the built-in furniture or appliances break down. The basic details are written in the contract, but it's best to check directly if you have any concerns.

Obligation to return to original state

Even if the property includes furniture and appliances, the tenant has an obligation to return the property to its original condition. This is a point that can easily cause trouble in a rental apartment contract, so be sure to clarify any points you are unclear about in advance.

It is also important for the tenant and landlord to share information about the condition of the furniture and appliances. Be sure to share this information before moving in.

If you plan to live in the property for between six months and two years, consider a property with furniture and appliances.

Properties that come with furniture and appliances tend to have lower initial costs but higher monthly rent.

If you plan to live in the property for between six months and two years, it will be more economical than a regular rental property. We recommend considering a monthly apartment for up to six months, and a regular rental property for two years or more.

The style of housing that suits you will change depending on how long you have lived in the property.

summary

For those considering a furnished apartment, the question of how much you can save is a concern. Although furnished apartments have both advantages and disadvantages, if you plan to stay for a relatively short period of time, it is easier to realize the economic benefits.

We encourage you to actively consider this.