Renting with your own furniture

Sad Professor

One of the things I hate about renting in Ireland is that houses usually come fully furnished. Depending on the house this either means the landlord's old junk (and sometimes personal belongings) that will end up in a skip when he decides to sell it, or cheap stuff he bought specifically for renting and will scrutinise for damage when you are leaving. Even putting aside the potential deposit implications of having to look after the landlord's furniture as well as his property, it's just another thing that prevents rental accommodation from feeling like home. Over the years I've built up a small amount of furniture, mainly beds since it's one of the hardest things to get used to in a new house, but I've avoided getting tables, armchairs, etc due the difficulty of trying to store the landlord's stuff.

I'd be interested in hearing the experiences of tenants who have their own furniture. Are landlords receptive to removing their furniture or is it generally a case of take it "as is"? Based on my experience they sometimes suggest putting it in the shed but aren't prepared to remove it. In the current market asking them to do so seems like the sort of thing that might lose you a house. As a tenant is there any point accumulating your own furniture?

L1011

Most landlords have not got the space to move their furniture to; although if you get someone with multiple properties they may be more receptive to it.

Unfurnished is nearly unheard of here due to the required appliances list, basically - nobody seems to want to offer somewhere with those and no other furniture.

Gumbo

I provided a 3 piece leather recliner to my tennant. She provided everything else herself. Table, beds, lockers, any side boards etc

Find it much easier that way.

Senecio

My wife an I rent a new build directly from the property developer. Appliances provided but apart from that we have our own furniture. We had the option of X€ per month unfurnished or X+ €200 per month furnished. We took unfurnished as we wanted to start to build some furniture of our own for when we buy.

Don't mind

I'd love to get an unfurnished place myself.

Sad Professor

Don't mind

L1011 wrote: »

Most landlords have not got the space to move their furniture to; although if you get someone with multiple properties they may be more receptive to it.

Unfurnished is nearly unheard of here due to the required appliances list, basically - nobody seems to want to offer somewhere with those and no other furniture.

Kitchen appliances like washing machines, fridges, etc are one thing, furniture is another. Having said that, I'd have no problem renting an empty shell like they do in Germany.

Actually in the first house we rented we ended up replacing most of the appliances ourselves - and took them with us when we left. But I wouldn't do it again.

mirrorwall14

Don't mind

I'm in semi furnished and it's been awesome. We own our own living room furniture, main bedroom and toddlers room furniture as well as a table and chairs

lcwill

I'm a landlord and would love to rent unfurnished.

Next time a tenant leaves I may advertise as furnished or unfurnished and be done with the hassle of fixing and replacing.

mirrorwall14

Don't mind

lcwill wrote: »

I'm a landlord and would love to rent unfurnished.

Next time a tenant leaves I may advertise as furnished or unfurnished and be done with the hassle of fixing and replacing.

I would believe that you will also get steadier tenants. They are more likely to take care of the place if they make it their own, own their own stuff and are likely to be long term tenants. I know that we are now 5 years in our place and the previous tenant was six years. Both us and the previous tenant moved from the house to buying our own (or at least thats the current plan). We had annual/biannual rent increases but otherwise the set up suited both us and the landlord and we rarely see each other

NyOmnishambles

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

I would believe that you will also get steadier tenants. They are more likely to take care of the place if they make it their own, own their own stuff and are likely to be long term tenants. I know that we are now 5 years in our place and the previous tenant was six years. Both us and the previous tenant moved from the house to buying our own (or at least thats the current plan). We had annual/biannual rent increases but otherwise the set up suited both us and the landlord and we rarely see each other

That is my thinking on it too

I will soon be letting out a 1 bed apartment in Dublin City Centre, allegedly my arm will be snapped off for it on the open market

But I am going to offer it unfurnished first (but with all the legally required bits) at a discounted rent as I think I will get better tenants and it will be more comfortable for everyone

If I don't get any takers then whoever rents it will get it with a new bed, mattress, couch etc but if I don't have to take on that cost it would suit me better right now

Probably easier to rent out a house unfurnished but will see how this goes

muggles

Good point made by mirrorwall14.

I have let a house semi-furnished. It was fully furnished but I dumped most of the older stuff, leaving table, chairs, suite of furniture etc which are in perfect condition along with brand new appliances. Tenant had her own beds and other stuff, including a washing machine, microwave and armchairs so I removed mine upon her moving in. She did however continue to buy more and more and ask for me to remove other items. I had to eventually call a halt as I don't have anywhere to store it. If she wants to store my stuff and replace it with her own, that's fine. If I was starting from scratch and had an option, I'd leave the place unfurnished and if I were ever a tenant again, I'd be coming with my own bed!!:D

newacc2015

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

Sad Professor wrote: »

Kitchen appliances like washing machines, fridges, etc are one thing, furniture is another. Having said that, I'd have no problem renting an empty shell like they do in Germany.

Actually in the first house we rented we ended up replacing most of the appliances ourselves - and took them with us when we left. But I wouldn't do it again.

You have no problem letting a place empty, but you are in the slim minority. Even the American REIT in Dublin knows that Irish tenants want the place furnished. They are a business, if they thought they would make more money unfurnished, it would be unfurnished

Irish tenants want a super high spec house furnished close to the Dart or Luas for next to nothing. An unfurnished place will not cut it for 99.5% of Irish tenants.

Don't mind

As I said above, I'd be delighted with an unfurnished place. But maybe I'm in the minority. At the moment, I need to move out. I have my own bed and due to the high rents, I'll have to downsize and most likely won't be able to take the bed with me.

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

I think the majority of people want a furnished place in Ireland. I would have zero interest in spending money on any furnishings for a rental aside from a pillow, a quilt and a tv. The rest I'd want provided, buying stuff that won't suit the house I buy when the time comes, hassle moving stuff if you move house, having to fix the stuff yourself etc etc are some of the main reasons people woundn't want unfurnished.

Sad Professor

Don't mind

I've added a poll.

Shadylou

Don't mind

I've always rented unfurnished as I have 2 young kids so it's easier to get furniture that will suit rather than a landlords old rubbish

athtrasna

newacc2015 wrote: »

You have no problem letting a place empty, but you are in the slim minority. Even the American REIT in Dublin knows that Irish tenants want the place furnished. They are a business, if they thought they would make more money unfurnished, it would be unfurnished

Irish tenants want a super high spec house furnished close to the Dart or Luas for next to nothing. An unfurnished place will not cut it for 99.5% of Irish tenants.

Would be illegal to rent empty, see minimum requirements

Don't mind

I'm selling my house & was looking for an unfurnished place to rent.
Impossible!
Unfurnished places seem to be all upper end of the market, thousands a month in rent.

So unfortunately I had to get a furnished place, will have to Get Rid of a lot of my own stuff or find somewhere to store them.

purplecow1977

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

If I was planning on renting for a few years, providing my own furniture may be fine.

However over the past 9 years, I've lived in 5 different places, comprising of live in landlords, strangers, apartment,house, single and as a couple!

It simply wouldn't be feasible for me to come equipped with my own furniture! Moving it around would also provide a problem - moving a bed?!

Furniture I may choose to buy for example for the apartment, may not be suitable for 1 of the houses I lived in, and vice versa.

It might suit some people but I always opt for furnished- less hassle for me!

I guess having the option of furnished/unfurnished would suit everyone.

I know that if majority of rentals were offered as unfurnished only, this would severely inhibit my choices.

Macha

Don't mind

I rent in Belgium where almost everything is rented unfurnished. I don't think I'd be able to rent furnished now. The place feels more like my own, has my own furniture etc.

It also means I'm not stuck with my landlord's odds and ends and s/he doesn't have to worry about it either - win/win.

Granted, moving is a bit more tricky but the system here is set up to suit long-term renters. Short term renters tend to rent bedrooms or aparthotels and those tend to be furnished. I should say there's also very good websites like adverts.ie for picking up second hand furniture and then there's IKEA.

Edit: for me it's another symptom of the 'renting is for losers' mentality in Ireland. Of course you want it furnished because you'll only be there a few years max and you're saving your money to invest in nice furniture in your own home. The mentality is completely different elsewhere.

Mrs OBumble

Unfurnished

Valentina Rich Cargo wrote: »

I think the majority of people want a furnished place in Ireland.

The responses on this thread suggest otherwise!



Having to get your own stuff, or make do without, is an important part of growing up and learning the value of stuff. Irish kids for the most part miss out on this, they move from mammy and daddy providing everything to a LL providing everything. I don't think that it's good for them. Or for long-term stability in the rental market.

Yes, there need to be some fully-furnished places in the rental market. But it's not healthy for the majority of places to be like that.

purplecow1977

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

The responses on this thread suggest otherwise!



Having to get your own stuff, or make do without, is an important part of growing up and learning the value of stuff. Irish kids for the most part miss out on this, they move from mammy and daddy providing everything to a LL providing everything. I don't think that it's good for them. Or for long-term stability in the rental market.

Yes, there need to be some fully-furnished places in the rental market. But it's not healthy for the majority of places to be like that.

I have lived out of home for 12 years in total. In 7 different houses/apartments. I'm delighted the landlord provided everything for me! Except once I had to buy a TV! I don't think I'm at any disadvantage for it. When I have my OWN house, my OWN mortgage, I will buy my OWN furniture!

It wasnt me123

Don't mind

I sold a house so had loads of furniture but now I rent. When I moved in I asked the Landlord to move his stuff out and he did, right into a skip to the tip! Most of the furniture in long term rentals is manky. My stuff is much nicer than the landlords was. I plan on being here for a few years so he gets the same rent (he was renting it furnished) but without any of the hassle of having to fix/replace broken furniture/appliances and I get a house that feels like home as it has all my little bits in it. win win

intheclouds

Unfurnished

I would prefer to have my own stuff in the place - it would also be a good persuader for allowing a tenant to have a pet.

Macha

Don't mind

purplecow1977 wrote: »

I have lived out of home for 12 years in total. In 7 different houses/apartments. I'm delighted the landlord provided everything for me! Except once I had to buy a TV! I don't think I'm at any disadvantage for it. When I have my OWN house, my OWN mortgage, I will buy my OWN furniture!

That's exactly it. I'm renting but I still consider it my home. And as I will be here for a few years, I want to be comfortable and furnish it as I like.

Maybe I'll buy in the future, maybe not but I'm not going to make do with awful furniture in the meantime, especially when 'meamtime' could be another 3 years or more.

purplecow1977

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

Macha wrote: »

That's exactly it. I'm renting but I still consider it my home. And as I will be here for a few years, I want to be comfortable and furnish it as I like.

Maybe I'll buy in the future, maybe not but I'm not going to make do with awful furniture in the meantime, especially when 'meamtime' could be another 3 years or more.

Well perhaps it's different if you're sure of your situation, or married or whatever. Depending on my circumstances determines where I live so it's not that straight forward. I don't KNOW for sure that I'll be in X place for 2/3/4 years so that situation would not suit me at all.

Elliott S

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

intheclouds wrote: »

I would prefer to have my own stuff in the place - it would also be a good persuader for allowing a tenant to have a pet.

This is a good point. With cats, for example, the biggest issue is that they destroy furniture with their claws. Other than that, they do nothing to effect the building's structure and are easily house-trained.

Mrs OBumble

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Having to get your own stuff, or make do without, is an important part of growing up and learning the value of stuff. Irish kids for the most part miss out on this, they move from mammy and daddy providing everything to a LL providing everything. I don't think that it's good for them. Or for long-term stability in the rental market.

Yes, there need to be some fully-furnished places in the rental market. But it's not healthy for the majority of places to be like that.

What are you basing this on? People don't value stuff because they don't buy their own? I have no interest whatsoever buying furniture for a place I'm temporarily staying until the point comes where I buy my own place and then I can buy high quality stuff which is exactly suitable for the rooms etc. I'll be long enough funding furniture, household appliances etc when I own my own place why would I want doing it in when I'm renting.

Also just because things like furniture is provided doesn't mean people don't buy other things like TV's, their car etc so not like they don't buy things with value until they buy an armchair.

Macha wrote: »

That's exactly it. I'm renting but I still consider it my home. And as I will be here for a few years, I want to be comfortable and furnish it as I like.

I suppose on the other hand I (and lots of others) don't consider places I rent as home, home is where I grew up and where I still have my own bedroom and keep a lot of my stuff. I have always looked at a rented place as a temporary place to stay during the week (and some weekends) while away from home and before the time comes/you are in a financial position to buy.

Jamsiek

Don't mind

I rented a few furnished places in the past and they are generally hit and miss I find.
A few years ago I stayed in a furnished place and it was so uncomfortable we moved out and got an unfurnished place
Now we have our own furniture and if it doesn't suit our next place we will just sell it
We are spending enough money so might as well be comfortable while we're at it

FrStone

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

The responses on this thread suggest otherwise!

Well boards certainly isn't representative of society in general. If it was sinn fein would have a large majority.

Having to get your own stuff, or make do without, is an important part of growing up and learning the value of stuff. Irish kids for the most part miss out on this, they move from mammy and daddy providing everything to a LL providing everything. I don't think that it's good for them. Or for long-term stability in the rental market.

Yes, there need to be some fully-furnished places in the rental market. But it's not healthy for the majority of places to be like that.

There are very few advantages to renting in Ireland, the main advantage is that your landlord has to fix stuff when its broken.

Let's be honest most Irish people only plan on renting for a few years, before buying a home. No point trying to buy neutral furniture for some rental property. Wait till you buy a home and spend money on furnishing it properly.

Also moving is hassle enough without trying to cart a 3 pie suite, a bed, bedside lockers and various other bits around.

Sad Professor

Don't mind

FrStone wrote: »

There are very few advantages to renting in Ireland, the main advantage is that your landlord has to fix stuff when its broken.

Let's be honest most Irish people only plan on renting for a few years, before buying a home. No point trying to buy neutral furniture for some rental property. Wait till you buy a home and spend money on furnishing it properly.

Also moving is hassle enough without trying to cart a 3 pie suite, a bed, bedside lockers and various other bits around.

That's changing. Homeownership has been falling since the early aughts. More people are renting and for longer. 1 in 5 households now are in the private rental sector. Most of them probably want to buy but many won't be able to. I've heard estimates that suggest that a third of current students will never own. Our cultural distaste for renting is as strong as it ever was, but the penny has to drop for tenants sooner or later.

John_Rambo

Don't mind

Unfurnished will always be more popular and attracts a serious, long term renter in my experience. More attractive to the mature professional and family market.

I rented a house out with bare wood floors and painted white walls. Always eliminated the ones that are liable to be flakey.

John_Rambo

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

John_Rambo wrote: »

Unfurnished will always be more popular

There is no way it's more popular, I follow daft a lot (all aspects buying, renting and sharing sections) and I can hardly remember more than 3 or 4 unfurnished places in the thousands of ads I've read over the last few years.

John_Rambo

Don't mind

Valentina Rich Cargo wrote: »

There is no way it's more popular, I follow daft a lot (all aspects buying, renting and sharing sections) and I can hardly remember more than 3 or 4 unfurnished places in the thousands of ads I've read over the last few years.

Tried it both ways. Unfurnished was more popular to professional divorcees, mature singletons, wealthy couples and families.

Made the house immaculate, clean, new kitchen, dropped the rent by 6% of those properties furnished in the area, I had long term committed tenants.

FrStone

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

Sad Professor wrote: »

That's changing. Homeownership has been falling since the early aughts. More people are renting and for longer. 1 in 5 households now are in the private rental sector. Most of them probably want to buy but many won't be able to. I've heard estimates that suggest that a third of current students will never own. Our cultural distaste for renting is as strong as it ever was, but the penny has to drop for tenants sooner or later.

I disagree. While it may seem difficult to buy now that won't always be the way.

Even if the market doesn't self correct, the government will have to intervene at some point to aid home ownership. We already know funding pensions is going to get more difficult, the idea that OAP's will have to pay rent out of a possibly much reduced pension will lead to intervention (there is huge opposition to rent controls, so OAPs willl have to pay market rates).

In a country, where there is alot more votes in helping first time buyers than there is in making the rental market a long term solution for renters, I can only see long term renting to be an option for those receiving state subsidies and the more alternative type person.

jester77

Don't mind

I rented unfurnished for over 15 years, would never do it any other way. Even had a nice custom kitchen installed in my last place as well. Landlord purchased it from me when I moved out.

When I bought my house a few years back, I didn't have to worry about furniture, I had everything I needed from over the years. Made life a hell of a lot easier than what I seen other family members going through when they bought houses and had no furniture at all. I don't envy anyone that is in that position.

pwurple

Don't mind

I was a tenant unfurnished for two years in ireland family...suited us as we had sold our house and were house hunting. Always rented in the US, UK and netherlands unfurnished as well, so it was what I am used to. Even as a student in the US, you can pick up old second hand furniture very easily.

I'm also a landlord and have always rented unfurnished. Mainly stable tenants.

Commerical is nearly always unfurnished as well, as the tenants do their own business / shop etc.

Unfurnished all the way baby. Bit of freedom for everyone.

matrim

John_Rambo wrote: »

Tried it both ways. Unfurnished was more popular to professional divorcees, mature singletons, wealthy couples and families.

Made the house immaculate, clean, new kitchen, dropped the rent by 6% of those properties furnished in the area, I had long term committed tenants.

So only more popular to a small subsection of the rental market. Although one that would be more desirable to many landlords.

Sad Professor

Don't mind

matrim wrote: »

So only more popular to a small subsection of the rental market. Although one that would be more desirable to many landlords.

I think as this thread shows many tenants would prefer unfurnished as well.

intheclouds

Unfurnished

Sad Professor wrote: »

I think as this thread shows many tenants would prefer unfurnished as well.

It definitely depends on stage in life and attitude to renting imo.

I rented when I was quite young and didnt have any furniture and it would have been too expensive for me to get all the furniture from scratch. However, over time I did buy my own pieces of furniture that suited my own needs (bookcasing, a really nice recliner chair etc...) and they came with me to the next rental.

The bed is a big issue for me, I need a good hard bed to be comfortable and most rentals dont invest in an expensive mattress.

If I were to rent again now Id definitely want to rent unfurnished.

triggermortis

Don't mind

I've done both but now prefer unfurnished as we have all our own furniture. Wehen we were starting out as a couple we got a furnished place as we owned nothing. When we bought a house we had to get furniture as we had very little at that stage. After a few years, we wanted to move and moved to a rented house that was unfurnished - we took all our stuff and rented out our house - unfurnished.
Then we moved to Switzerland where you even have to put in your own light fittings. When we moved back to Dublin last year, we found a house to rent that was furnished, but luckily the landlord agreed to move their stuff out to make room for ours.

quietsailor

Don't mind

triggermortis wrote: »

I've done both but now prefer unfurnished as we have all our own furniture. Wehen we were starting out as a couple we got a furnished place as we owned nothing. When we bought a house we had to get furniture as we had very little at that stage. After a few years, we wanted to move and moved to a rented house that was unfurnished - we took all our stuff and rented out our house - unfurnished.
Then we moved to Switzerland where you even have to put in your own light fittings. When we moved back to Dublin last year, we found a house to rent that was furnished, but luckily the landlord agreed to move their stuff out to make room for ours.

When you say "put in your own light fittings " do you mean put in the bulb and light shade or literally you had to screw wires into a light fitting?

If its the second did you have to get in an electrician?

purplecow1977

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

I'm 30 years of ages and wondering who are all these people who have all their own furniture?!?!

jester77

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

jester77 wrote: »

I don't envy anyone that is in that position.

On the contrary when I buy I look forward to knitting out the place with high quality furnature etc that's a perfect fit for the place not stuff that has to be shoehorned in because I had to drag it around various differently sized rental properties.

Also a lot of houses are being sold including all kitchen appliances and a lot include some or all furnature also so in many cases you can gradually get your own new stuff not have to buy it all from the start.

As for if I was a LL how would I want to do it, fully furnished with middle of the road stuff and rent the rooms seperately would be my preferred way of managing a let property.

purplecow1977 wrote: »

I'm 30 years of ages and wondering who are all these people who have all their own furniture?!?!

I agree I'm 31 and a bed side locker is the only piece of furnature I've bought. I haven't even bough douvets etc, just brought them from home. I've 3 tv's though, have to have the priorities right! :pac:

Ms Doubtfire1

Don't mind

as a multiple pet owner I rent unfurnished. That way no damage can be done to any of the LL property, and I have yet to meet a dog that will chew a wall.:D

kandr10

Unfurnished

I would have liked to have owned more furniture before moving into where we bought. That said, to start out I wouldn't have had the money to buy a good bed, mattress and sofa so I know I would've bought cheaper stuff. Still better to sleep on your own mattress though.
It's a tricky one to answer. I think it definitely depends on your stage of life. Overall, it'd be better to have to furnish places yourself and for a bigger second hand market to open up for the likes of students or whatever to buy and sell.

FrStone

Partially furnished (kitchen appliances etc)

FrStone wrote: »

..........

Even if the market doesn't self correct, the government will have to intervene at some point to aid home ownership. We already know funding pensions is going to get more difficult, the idea that OAP's will have to pay rent out of a possibly much reduced pension will lead to intervention (there is huge opposition to rent controls, so OAPs willl have to pay market rates).............

Aiding home ownership might well cost more than funding pensions.

A couple earning a combined €60k can purchase a home in most parts of the country if they are willing to drive 20/30 miles to work.

Most people will sort themselves out, intervention to aid home ownership beyond small efforts like tax breaks etc won't be done, isn't warranted and won't be supported by the electorate imo.

jester77

Don't mind

Valentina Rich Cargo wrote: »

On the contrary when I buy I look forward to knitting out the place with high quality furnature etc that's a perfect fit for the place not stuff that has to be shoehorned in because I had to drag it around various differently sized rental properties.

I always buy quality, I spent over 5k on a couch and bed when I moved into my first ever apartment. Two of the most important pieces you will buy as it's where you spend the majority of your time. Still have them and they moved with me, never a problem.

I don't get what you mean by a perfect fit? There is a certain type of style I like and I only buy furniture that falls into this style. When I bought my house, I had the rooms designed in the style that I like and all my furniture fits in naturally, no shoehorning involved.

John_Rambo

Don't mind

matrim wrote: »

So only more popular to a small subsection of the rental market. Although one that would be more desirable to many landlords.

That category of people were the largest subsection of renters where my property was. Unfurnished was the most attractive option to the majority of my renters.

intheclouds

Unfurnished

Unfurnished also makes sense for families. They might want a cot and later a childs bed - kids have different needs as they grow.

Sad Professor

Don't mind

I agree that age is a factor. The cultural view in Ireland is that renting is something you do temporarily until you can afford to buy. So a young person renting for the first time with dreams of homeownership dancing in their head won't feel a desire to make rented accommodation feel like home. As another user said, they'll do that when they buy their own place. However, fast forward 10 or 15 years and if that person is still renting and has a family they may feel very differently about it. And even if they don't, they will have probably accumulated enough furniture in that time to furnish most of a house anyway or had enough bad experiences with manky landlord-provided furniture to be more open to idea. If they haven't it's probably because they've been forced to move several times. Assuming security of tenure improves over the next few years (which I think is very likely as part of a political effort to pacify would-be homeowners who can't get on the ladder) I think we might start to see more unfurnished houses on the market.