When it comes to renting out a furnished rental, you’ll want to be sure you’ve stocked up on all the essentials potential tenants will expect. However, ensure that you’ve removed any items that may be valuable, damaged, or personal belongings.
Planning to rent a furnished apartment? Awesome! Furnishing a property does mean spending more up front. However, it also offers the potential to increase your passive income, as furnished properties have higher rents than unfurnished units.
These units are ideal for young professionals and people willing to pay more for a furnished rental. This said, many students who have not yet accumulated their own furnishings may prefer furnished apartments, too. But what should a furnished rental not include? What items should you remove from a furnished property, both for your and your tenants’ sake, before they move in? We answer these and more questions in this blog post.
Providing Essential Information and Instructions
One of the most impactful ways to ensure a seamless move-in experience for your tenants is to provide clear, comprehensive instructions and essential information about your furnished rental. Leaving behind a well-organized guide or welcome packet can make all the difference in helping tenants settle in quickly, confidently, and with minimal confusion. At a minimum, this should include a list of emergency contact numbers. By making this information easily accessible, you empower tenants to respond promptly to unexpected situations, reducing stress for both parties and potentially minimizing property damage in the event of an emergency.
Beyond emergency contacts, it’s crucial to supply detailed instructions for operating all appliances and systems within the home. Even seemingly straightforward devices, like washing machines, dishwashers, or heating and cooling units, often have quirks or specific procedures that may not be intuitive to new users. Including original appliance manuals, or at least concise step-by-step instructions, helps tenants avoid accidental misuse and extends the lifespan of your property’s amenities. For smart home features such as Wi-Fi routers, smart TVs, or programmable thermostats, provide written instructions covering setup, troubleshooting, and any important passwords or codes. This ensures tenants can take full advantage of the features you’ve invested in while minimizing unnecessary maintenance requests caused by user error.
Additionally, consider outlining routine property procedures that tenants must follow. This might include trash and recycling collection schedules, instructions for sorting waste in accordance with local regulations, guidance on handling mail or package deliveries, and guidelines for operating security systems or accessing shared amenities. If your property is part of a larger building or community, include information on building rules, parking arrangements, and the locations of key amenities such as laundry rooms, gyms, or storage areas. For properties with outdoor spaces, provide guidance on lawn care or garden maintenance expectations, if applicable.
Furnished vs. Unfurnished Rentals
A furnished rental, sometimes called a turnkey property, comes with all essentials and amenities a tenant needs to live comfortably. Here are items that a furnished rental should have in each room of the apartment or house.
- Bedroom: A furnished bedroom should have a bed with a mattress, pillows, and bedding. A dresser or a closet should be included, too, as well as nightstands and, ideally, lamps. A fully furnished bedroom should also have other essentials and accessories. This may include blankets, alarm clocks, some artwork, and a desk with a chair if there’s enough space.
- Living Room: In a furnished rental, a living room should have a sofa or a couch. Additionally, it may offer a coffee table and some inexpensive wall art. If you’re going all in, consider adding a TV, bookshelves, plants, and lamps.
- Kitchen: A furnished kitchen should include essential appliances, such as a refrigerator, a stove, and a microwave. It’s also a good idea to provide dishes, utensils, cookware, and towels. If you want to fully stock your kitchen, consider investing in a coffee maker, cutting boards, glassware, and mugs.
- Dining Room: A furnished dining room should, at a minimum, have a table with chairs. A better-furnished kitchen may also include artwork on the walls and a cabinet for dishware.
- Bathroom: Aside from a bathtub or shower, toilet, and sink, a fully furnished bathroom often includes toiletries such as toilet paper, towels, and a hair dryer. Other accessories include a plunger, trash bin, and bath mats.
A furnished rental should also have some cleaning tools and supplies. These can include a vacuum cleaner, a mop, a bucket, and some all-purpose cleaners. What about unfurnished properties? While they don’t come with furnishings, these units still need to include essential items such as fixtures and appliances. Usually, they often come with window coverings as well.
Cleaning and Preparation
Before welcoming new tenants, it’s crucial to conduct a comprehensive cleaning and preparation of your rental property. A spotless, well-prepared space not only creates a positive first impression but also sets the standard for how tenants should care for the home. Deep cleaning eliminates lingering odors, dust, and allergens, making the environment healthier and more inviting. Addressing overlooked areas demonstrates attention to detail and respect for your tenants. A meticulously cleaned and prepared property fosters tenant satisfaction, encourages longer stays, and helps protect your investment over time.
Enhancing Safety and Security Before Tenants Move In
Ensuring the safety and security of your furnished rental is a critical responsibility that not only protects your investment but also provides peace of mind to your incoming tenants. One of the most important steps you can take is to change the locks on all entry doors before new tenants move in. Even if you trust previous occupants, you can never be certain how many copies of the keys may exist or who might have access. Installing new locks or rekeying existing ones is a relatively inexpensive and straightforward process that significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized entry, helping tenants feel safe from day one.
In addition to updating locks, it’s essential to address gas safety within the property. Start by arranging for a certified professional to inspect all gas appliances, such as stoves, ovens, and heaters, to ensure they are functioning properly and do not pose any risk of gas leaks or carbon monoxide exposure. In many regions, landlords are legally required to provide up-to-date gas safety certificates, so check your local regulations and keep documentation accessible for your tenants. Install carbon monoxide detectors in appropriate locations, and test them regularly to confirm they are operational. Providing clear instructions on what to do in the event of a gas leak, including emergency contact numbers and the location of gas shut-off valves, further empowers tenants to respond quickly and safely if an issue arises.
Another often-overlooked aspect of rental security is the provision of spare keys. Make at least two sets of keys for each lock: one for the tenant and one for yourself or a trusted property manager. Consider making an additional spare to leave with a nearby friend or neighbor in case of lockouts or emergencies. Be sure to provide tenants with access codes for shared entryways, garages, or storage areas, and confirm that all keys and codes are up to date. If your property features smart locks or security systems, reset them between tenancies and ensure new tenants receive clear instructions on their use.
Beyond these basics, take a few extra steps to reinforce security. Test all window locks, security devices, and fire safety equipment, such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, to ensure everything is in working order. Show tenants where fire extinguishers are located and explain how to use them. If your property has an alarm system, provide instructions and confirm it is functioning.
What to Remove from a Furnished Rental
There is a need to remove or secure personal belongings and sensitive paperwork to protect privacy and prevent potential issues for both landlords and tenants. Items you may want to remove from a unit before renting it to new tenants. include:
- Personal Belongings: Before you rent your unit, make sure you remove any personal or sentimental belongings that either belong to you or previous tenants. The reason for this is twofold. First, you don’t want your new tenants to accidentally damage things of sentimental value to you. Second, your tenants should feel at home in their new place. This means having enough space for their personal belongings.
- Valuable Artwork: If you have some expensive artwork on the walls, we recommend removing it before new tenants move in. For example, if you bought an original painting from Singulart or another prestigious art gallery, do you really want to risk it being damaged or stolen? To err on the safe side, take your valuable artwork with you.
- Expensive or Delicate Items: Anything expensive or delicate that could easily be damaged or stolen should be removed before tenants move in. That gorgeous crystal vase? It could very easily be damaged or broken. The expensive white sofa? Unless you want to spend hours removing stains from it once tenants leave, we suggest removing it from the unit and choosing something more practical, with a fabric that doesn’t stain easily.
- Damaged Furniture and Appliances: Additionally, you also don’t want to leave damaged furniture and appliances for your new tenants. Remove any worn-out furniture and non-functional appliances and replace or repair them as needed. Likewise, if one room or part of a rental has become too old or significantly damaged, consider renovating it.
- Non-Essential or Bulky Items: A furnished place does not equal a cluttered space. To provide your tenants with a comfortable, functional rental, remove any non-essential or overly bulky items. This may include broken gym equipment, unnecessarily large storage units, and similar issues.
When renting out a furnished rental, be sure you’ve stocked up on the essential items tenants expect. However, ensure that you’ve removed any items that may be valuable, damaged, or personal belongings.
Organizing and Decluttering Furnished Spaces for Tenant Comfort
One of the most impactful ways to prepare a furnished rental for new tenants is to thoughtfully organize and declutter each living area, ensuring that the space feels both welcoming and functional from the moment they arrive. Start by clearing off all horizontal surfaces throughout the home. These surfaces often accumulate personal items, paperwork, or decorative objects over time, but for tenants, clear surfaces are essential for settling in and making the space their own. Walk through each room as if you were a first-time guest, noting where a new arrival might want to set down keys, charge a phone, or place a cup of coffee. Remove non-essential items, store away personal mementos, and limit decorative objects to a few neutral, durable pieces that add character without overwhelming the space.
Next, turn your attention to storage spaces like closets and dresser drawers. Tenants need room to unpack and organize their belongings, so it’s crucial to provide ample space. Begin by removing any out-of-season clothing, shoes, or accessories you won’t need during the tenancy. Store these items off-site or in sealed containers tucked away in less-accessible areas, such as under beds or in a locked storage closet. Aim to leave at least half of each closet empty, and provide enough hangers for tenants to hang both long and short garments. If possible, clear one or more dresser drawers in each bedroom for tenants’ use.
Throughout the rest of the home, assess the necessity and size of each piece of furniture and accessory. Remove any bulky or non-essential items that may crowd the space or limit its usability. For example, oversized storage units, broken exercise equipment, or rarely used decorative pieces can make rooms feel cramped and less inviting. Instead, prioritize versatile, sturdy furnishings that maximize comfort and practicality. In shared spaces like the kitchen, declutter cupboards and drawers by removing duplicate utensils or specialty gadgets that tenants are unlikely to need. Leave a reasonable selection of cookware, dishes, and pantry essentials, but avoid overstocking so tenants have space to store their own groceries and supplies.
Preparing your furnished rental for new tenants is easier with the right tools. RentRedi simplifies property management, from organizing move-in details to streamlining communication and maintenance. Explore how RentRedi can help you provide a seamless experience for your tenants.