Guide To Renting Furnished Vs Unfurnished Property in Dubai

Are you planning to rent a property in Dubai? Need help to decide whether to renting furnished vs unfurnished property? The decision to rent the right property can often be challenging. This choice impacts your budget, lifestyle, and happiness in your new home. While furnished properties come with the convenience of being ready to move, unfurnished properties offer more freedom to customise the space as per your taste. In this guide, we will take a deep dive into furnished vs unfurnished properties, including their pros and cons, so that you can make the best decision.

Factors of While Choosing Furnished and Unfurnished Property?

You should consider several factors while choosing between furnished and unfurnished properties, including the following:

• Your Taste and Preference

Do you need a certain environment to feel comfortable, or are you comfortable anywhere? If you belong to the latter category, a well-furnished apartment will be the best. However, if you belong to the former one, consider getting an unfurnished apartment. 

• Your Dependents

Are you moving in with your kids and pets? If yes, the furniture is more likely to be damaged. In a furnished apartment, any damage to the furniture can lead to losing your security deposit. Another factor is that furnished apartments are often not child-proof. Therefore, you should make your choice after considering this factor. 

• Your Dubai Plans

How long do you plan to stay in Dubai? Furnished apartments cost significantly more than unfurnished apartments. If you plan on staying short-term, a furnished apartment might be better since you won’t have to buy new furniture. However, if you plan on staying for a long time, the cost of new furniture may be less than the additional amount you will pay on rent for a furnished apartment. In this case, an unfurnished apartment will be better. 

What are the Different Types of Furnished Properties?

Furnished properties can be of two types:

• Semi-furnished Properties

A semi-furnished property comes with a certain set of furniture. For example, it may have pre-installed cabinets, dishwashers, wardrobes, etc.

• Fully- Furnished Properties

A fully furnished property includes all the necessary furniture and items required to live well. Therefore, you won’t only get a wardrobe in your bedroom but also a bed and a side table. 

How to Choose Between Renting Furnished Vs Unfurnished Property?

Both unfurnished and furnished properties have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. Let us discuss them. 

• Advantages of Furnished Property

Here are the pros of renting a furnished property:

• • Reduced Cost of Moving In

The major cost after renting an apartment is the cost of moving in and setting up your new home. And by renting a furnished home, you can significantly save on these costs. As furnished properties include all the furniture, all you have to do to move in is to bring your personal belongings. You don’t have to buy new furniture or move your old one from your previous home. 

• • Save Time During Shifting Process

The process of shifting can be mentally and financially exhausting. Moving into a furnished home can help reduce this stress significantly, as you won’t have to worry about preparing your furniture for shifting. As a result, you will also reduce the time required to shift to your new place. 

• • Suitable for Short Term Rentals

Most furnished apartments in Dubai are only available for a short period, making them perfect for students and professionals. Renting one will save you the effort of moving heavy furniture for long distances. 

• Disadvantages of Furnished Properties

While furnished properties have many pros, it also has some cons. Here are some of them. 

• • Fewer Options to Personalise Decor

One of the major cons of renting a furnished property is that you cannot decorate the apartment. In furnished properties, you are only allowed to make temporary changes, such as adding wall hangings or lights. This will limit your decoration choices, and your home won’t express your personality. 

• • Adjusting Old Items with New Ones

When you are moving to a furnished apartment and already have old furniture, it can be challenging to set them up in the new apartment. Since the new apartment is already well-furnished, there’d be limited space for any new additions. Ultimately, you may have to sell your old furniture. 

• • High Average Annual Rent

Several factors, like location, amenities, number of bedrooms, etc., affect the rent of a place. However, furnished apartments often have a higher annual rent and security deposit than unfurnished apartments. This is because almost all the furniture and household necessities are available. 

• • High Liability of Furniture 

When you rent a furnished property, you are liable for the property and the furniture. This means you will have to pay the repair amount for any damage or even replace it if necessary. 

• • Complicated Tenancy Agreement 

The tenancy agreement for furnished apartments can be more complicated than for unfurnished apartments. Therefore, before renting the property, you must check the inventory list, terms and conditions, and clauses related to damage. This will help you prepare well for any future issues. 

• Advantages of Unfurnished Properties

After understanding the pros and cons of furnished properties, let us move to the pros of unfurnished properties. 

• • Bring Your Comfort and Style

In furnished apartments, landlords typically provide sturdy furniture. Style and comfort are often not considered. If you prefer to live in a space that speaks about your style and comfort, unfurnished apartments are best. You get the freedom to decorate your apartment how you want and use the most comfortable furniture.  

• • Less Liability

Tenants are responsible for any damage caused by themselves or their guests in the apartment. Renting an unfurnished apartment means you have less liability.

In a furnished apartment, the chances of this damage increase as the tenants use furniture provided by the landlord. In an unfurnished property, they are only responsible for the property itself and any appliance that comes with it.

• • Cheaper Rent

Furnished apartments often have a higher rent and security deposit due to their convenience. This is not the case with unfurnished apartments. Since the landlord does not have to provide any furniture, the rent and security deposit are cheaper. 

• • Long Term Leases

If you want to rent a place for a long time, an unfurnished apartment is your best choice. You can get the furniture of your choice and live in a comfortable area. Long-term leases are also a great way of negotiating rent prices with the landlord.

• Disadvantages of Unfurnished Properties 

Here are the cons of unfurnished properties. 

• • Less Flexibility  

If you are staying for a long time, an unfurnished apartment will suit your requirements better. However, if you are staying for a brief period, an unfurnished apartment can be more expensive than a furnished one. This is because you will have to spend money to buy new furniture and then pay to move it to your new place.  

• • Expensive Furnishing

When renting an unfurnished apartment, you must buy new furniture or move your old one. Both can be expensive and cost a lot of money. If you hire a moving company, they will charge you according to several factors, such as the amount of furniture and distance. 

Conclusion

Renting furnished vs unfurnished – which one is better? After reading this guide, you must have already realised there’s no one answer to this question. The choice between them ultimately boils down to your needs and preference. If you prefer decorating your home, an unfurnished apartment will be suitable. However, if you are okay with a convenient place, you can go with furnished properties.

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