What is a fully furnished apartment?

What kind of property is a fully furnished apartment?
I have summarized it in two points below.
・Basic features of furnished apartments ・Why they are popular among budget-minded people

Basic features of fully furnished apartments

A furnished apartment is an apartment that comes equipped with the minimum furniture and appliances necessary for daily life.
Since you will be moving into a property where furniture and appliances are already installed, there is no need for wiring or other work, and you can start living there immediately after moving in.

Since the rent includes the cost of installing furniture and appliances as well as repairs and replacement costs, it is often set higher than an unfurnished apartment in the same area and with the same layout.

Reasons for its popularity among budget-conscious people

Having furniture and appliances already provided reduces the cost of purchasing them, the time and effort spent selecting them, and the cost of transporting them when moving.
Therefore, this apartment is popular among budget-minded people who want to save both money and time.

Reasons and benefits of saving money with furnished apartments

Below are three reasons and benefits for saving money by renting a furnished apartment.
・Save on initial costs ・Reduce living costs ・Good value for money even for short stays

Savings on initial costs

If you move into a typical apartment, it will cost you several tens of thousands to several hundred thousand yen to purchase all the furniture and appliances yourself.
If you choose a furnished apartment, not only can you cut out all of these costs, but you also won't have to transport any furniture or appliances, saving you a lot on moving expenses.

Lower cost of living

In apartments that come with furniture and appliances, many properties will repair or replace any broken appliances free of charge, so you won't have to do any maintenance yourself.
I also think it's a very convenient system because it eliminates the hassle and cost of disposing of the furniture after the contract period ends.

Good value for money even for short stays

Furnished apartments tend to have higher rent than regular apartments, but if you are looking for short-term housing such as temporary residence or due to a job transfer, an apartment with furnished appliances offers better cost-performance in terms of monthly expenses compared to renting furniture and appliances for a regular apartment.
If you are staying for a short period of time, it is very convenient as you can move around with minimal luggage.

Tips for choosing a furnished apartment to save money

Below are three points to consider when choosing a furnished apartment to save money.
・Confirm the content and quality of the furniture and appliances provided, the location and access of the property, and the rent and maintenance costs

Content and quality of furniture and appliances provided

Furnished apartments typically include the following furniture and appliances:
・Washing machine・Refrigerator・Microwave・Rice cooker・Electric kettle・TV・Low table or dining table・Chair・Bed・Lighting fixtures

The length of time that furniture and appliances have been used and their quality will vary depending on the property, so be sure to check when viewing.

Location and access to the property

When choosing an apartment, choose one that is easily accessible to work or school.
Even if the rent is low, you should be careful because if your transportation costs for work or school are high, you will not be able to save on fixed costs.
We recommend looking for a property near a station that you frequently use for commuting to work or school or for personal use, or near a bus stop with good access.

Check rent and maintenance fees

In furnished apartments, the maintenance fee for the furniture and appliances is often included in the rent.
However, it is a good idea to check how much the maintenance fees for furniture and appliances are in relation to the rent.

When you go to view the property, be sure to check things like what level of warranty they provide in case your furniture or appliances break, and whether they provide maintenance for furniture and appliances that have been in use for a long time.

Money-saving tips for living in a furnished apartment

Below are two tips for saving money when living in a furnished apartment.
・Efficient ways to save on utility bills and water bills ・Tips for living without waste

Efficient ways to save on utility and water bills

In a furnished apartment, the appliances are already installed so you have to save on those.
Easy ways to save on your electricity bill:

・Turn off electrical appliances frequently ・Reduce standby power consumption ・Review your electricity rate plan

There are other methods such as:
You can save money by simply being careful to turn off rice cookers, microwaves, electric kettles, etc. after use, and by not leaving air conditioners and cell phone chargers plugged in when not in use.
Also, if you are often away during the day, some power companies have electricity rate plans that are specialized for usage at night, so it may be a good idea to change to one of those plans.
Some power companies offer additional services, so be sure to check the details with several companies before signing a contract.

Tips for living without waste

The rent for furnished apartments is higher than that of regular apartments, but if you plan to stay for a few months to two years, you can get a better deal than with a regular apartment, so they are recommended for people looking for a short-term residence.
Also, for those who are considering living alone seriously in the future, it is recommended that you first try living in an apartment equipped with furniture and appliances in order to find furniture and appliances that suit your lifestyle.

summary

Furnished apartments can be cost-effective depending on how you live, and they offer many benefits. However, instead of just looking at the low initial costs, be sure to check the condition and maintenance when you go to view the apartment to save money on your monthly expenses.
We hope that this article will help you think about which apartment suits your lifestyle and serve as a reference for your search for a better place to live.