Furnished vs. Unfurnished Rentals:What Landlords Must Provide in 2026
Which property works best for you in Furnished vs. Unfurnished rentals? The choice you make can affect your budget, flexibility, and comfort, and the level of furnishing in the property shapes your entire renting experience. EA Guaranteed Rent is here to help you understand rental types, including the key benefits and downsides, to help you make the right decision for your next home.
What Furnished vs. Unfurnished Rentals Mean in Property?
Before you decide which property is right for you, understanding what furnished and unfurnished rental means for tenants and landlords is important.
Furnished Rentals
The furnished rental property includes all the essentials to make it ready for a tenant to move in. These properties are equipped with furniture for immediate living, such as sofas, beds, wardrobes, a dining table, and all white goods, etc. Therefore, the tenants can directly move into the property without buying any furniture or home items.
Unfurnished Rentals
Unfurnished rentals refer to a property in which the landlord does not provide any furniture or essential items, except for some electrical appliances, fixtures, and fittings. These include kitchen units, bathroom fittings and some white goods (fridge, oven, boiler, dishwashers, etc.). Tenants need to bring their own furniture and personal items.
Part-Furnished Rentals
Part-furnished rentals are between furnished and unfurnished rentals. The property is provided with some furniture like sofas, beds or chairs, but not enough to fully equip the home. However, tenants have to arrange wardrobes, desks or personal items. In addition, These properties are suitable for tenants who want basic furnishings in the property but want to bring their own belongings and additional furniture.
What Landlords Must Provide in 2026 (Legal Requirements)
In a furnished or an unfurnished flat, some minimum requirements must be provided in the property.
Unfurnished Property Minimum Requirements
When a landlord rents out their property unfurnished, the obligations and minimum requirements are different. If the property is not furnished, the landlord is still legally responsible for providing the basics, which include:
- Kitchen Fixtures (Kitchen unit, sinks, taps, plumbing and white goods )
- Bathroom Fixtures (Toilet, shower, sink and basic plumbing)
- Lighting (Needs an EICR certificate)
- Flooring (Carpet or wood floors in key areas)
- Windows (With fittings and curtains)
- Door Locks
- Smoke and Carbon monoxide detectors
Furnished Property Minimums
There are no hard and fast rules for what to provide in a furnished property or a flat. It is mandatory to mention in the tenancy agreement whether the property is furnished or unfurnished. The furnishings may include the following things to make the property inhabitable:
- Furniture for the living room and bedroom
- Dining Table
- Kitchen Appliances (refrigerator, oven, or a kettle)
- White Goods (Washing Machine, Dryer, Boiler)
- Lightings (with an EICR within the last five years)
- Curtains or Railings to hang them
Which Property is Best in Furnished Vs. Unfurnished Rentals for All Lifestyles?
When you are weighing up furnished vs. unfurnished rentals, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Certain factors affect the preference and suitability of living in furnished or unfurnished rentals.
| Factor | Furnished Preference | Unfurnished Preference |
| Short-term / relocation | Yes | No |
| Convenience / time-saving | Yes | No |
| Flexibility to move | Yes | No |
| Long-term stay | No | Yes |
| Personalisation of space | No | Yes |
| Already own furniture | No | Yes |
Students and Short-Term Residents
If you are a student and want a short-term stay, furnished accommodation is a more practical and smarter option. Landlords with student properties may also benefit from professional HMO management services. Renting an unfurnished apartment includes an initial expense, as you will need to purchase furniture, which is estimated to cost £1,796. The furnished flat options are more convenient because they allow immediate shifting without any hassle and extra expenses.
Professionals
Young professionals with dynamic work locations and short-term projects prefer to move into furnished flats. Furnished rentals close to the business and job centres are the most appealing and stress-free option for professionals who want to move in with a simple suitcase. On the other hand, if professionals have long-term plans, or want to personalise their home usually look for empty, unfurnished apartments.
Families and Retired Individuals
In case of families, most own furniture and additional essentials of living, and they may look for a home where they can bring their items. Families need larger layouts and space in homes prefer unfurnished rentals. In contrast, individuals who want to settle after retirement prefer to rent out unfurnished homes, because usually they own furniture or want to customise their homes.
How Do Furnished Vs. Unfurnished Rentals Viewings Differ?
Viewings play an important role when deciding between furnished vs. unfurnished Rentals, as the presence of furniture changes how space and layout are assessed.
Furnished Rental Viewing
- Walking into the furnished rental means a space ready with beds, sofas, tables and appliances helps you visualise living there.
- Moreover, landlords highlight furnished accommodation as ideal for quick settling without buying furniture. It requires ongoing maintenance and staging, often marketed as move-in-ready.
- Furnished units have an appeal to the short-term residents. During furnished viewings, you can check the condition of the furniture and discuss its potential damage costs.
Note: When securing a rental, inspect the furniture condition in the furnished unit and clarify any damage costs.
Unfurnished Rental Viewing
- The unfurnished rental is empty except for basic fixtures, which shift focus to the space and layout rather than furnishings.
- As a result, viewing unfurnished units allows you to imagine decorating and arranging your own furniture.
- Unfurnished units are easier to maintain and tend to attract tenants seeking longer stays who want to customise their space.
Note: Unfurnished rentals appeal strongly to long-term residents, and the focus should be on layout and space during viewings.
What are the Pros and Cons of Furnished Rentals?
The furnished rentals have advantages for landlords as well as tenants:
Pros
- High rental demand.
- Flexible lease options.
- Homes are rented faster.
- Deposits protect risks in furnished rentals.
- Landlords receive tax benefits.
- Tenants do not need to buy furniture.
- Furnished rental is an immediate move-in property.
- Students, young professionals, and temporary workers benefit the most.
- Ideal for temporary stays, short-term jobs, or studies.
Cons:
- For landlords, initial costs are high for furnishing properties.
- The tenants for long-term stays often skip furnished properties.
- For tenants, the major drawback is the high rental cost that they have to pay for furnished properties.
- Tenants cannot personalise and change the interior of the property.
What are the Pros and Cons of Unfurnished Rental Properties?
Unfurnished properties also have some pros and cons for tenants and landlords.
For Tenants
The benefits and drawbacks of choosing unfurnished rentals for tenants are given below:
Pros:
- Unfurnished rentals allow full personalisation.
- Lower rent compared to furnished options.
- Tenants can enjoy a sense of ownership over their space.
- Long-term stability for those planning to stay.
Cons:
- High upfront costs are required to furnish the home.
- Moving can be more of a hassle since you need to transport furniture.
- Time and effort are needed to furnish and set up the space.
For Landlords
Landlords offering unfurnished rentals also have some advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- Lower costs (less maintenance and repairs)
- Stable tenants (long-term renters)
- Less risk (no disputes over furniture)
Cons:
- Longer vacancy (may take more time to rent)
- Smaller tenant pool (fewer short-term or student renters)
Final Verdict
Choosing between furnished and unfurnished rentals depends on your lifestyle, budget, and rental goals. Furnished properties are ideal for short-term stays, students, young professionals and anyone who wants to move in without investing in furniture. These rentals offer flexibility and speed but come at a higher rental cost and limited customisation. On the other hand, unfurnished properties suit families, long-term tenants and those who own furniture already. They offer lower rent, stability for long-term and reduced disputes over furnishings. Moreover, when comparing furnished vs. unfurnished rentals, it is important to consider how long you plan to stay and how much personalisation you desire.
Landlords looking for hassle-free income from their furnished or unfurnished properties can explore our guaranteed rent scheme for steady rental income without void periods.
