Are you thinking about moving to Malaysia in the coming months? If so, you are probably looking at renting a property in one of the country’s many cities, towns, and suburbs. There are hundreds of factors to consider before moving into any rental property, from energy efficiency ratings and monthly bills to parking spaces and local amenities. One of the main factors that renters need to consider is whether they should move into a furnished, semi-furnished, or unfurnished property. There are multiple advantages and disadvantages to every type, all of which we are going to be discussing in our article today. If you are moving to Malaysia and can’t decide which would be best for you, then you should read on and find out more information.
Calculating the Costs
Furnished accommodation is usually more expensive than unfurnished accommodation in Malaysia, as you can see by looking at this list of rumah sewa klang. Landlords can charge extra for providing their tenants with all the essentials (beds, mattresses, sofas, chairs, dining tables, storage cabinets, kitchen appliances, etc.), increasing the price of rent for each month. This means that you will likely spend more money overall for a furnished rental property. This being said, furnished properties do save tenants from spending an extortionate amount of money on these furnishings themselves.
People who move into unfurnished accommodation have nothing. No bed frames, dining tables, sofas, or kitchen appliances. Only the bare minimum must be supplied by landlords. This includes white goods, fixtures, window coverings, and flooring. If you have no furniture, then you could spend a staggering amount of money on decorating your rental property. There is also the issue of upfront costs. It is significantly more expensive to move into unfurnished accommodation than a furnished property initially. You usually have to pay for removal companies to transport your possessions over and into your new place. Even if you don’t do that, you will still spend a massive amount of money on fuel when driving things over. This isn’t such an issue with furnished accommodation, as you won’t be hefting over bulky pieces of furniture like wardrobes.
Making It Your Own
One of the biggest advantages of renting an unfurnished property is that you can bring all your own furniture in, making the place feel much more like home. From the sofas and bedframes to the dining table and bathrooms, you have freedom of choice! Of course, you will be slightly limited by the rental contract, so you might need to seek out permission to paint the walls and make any changes to the layout. Overall, though, there is much more leeway. The same cannot be said for those with unfurnished properties. Sadly, you are stuck with whatever the landlord has chosen for decoration. Ugly sofas, unattractive wallpaper, hideous carpets… You can’t do much about removing them. This also limits the amount of space you have for your own belongings, such as desks or bookshelves.
In addition to this, rental property furnishings have been used by multiple tenants over the years. Sometimes, this means they are discoloured with tough old stains. This is a major setback of furnished accommodation. However, it’s not all bad. You can still email your landlord and request to have items replaced or removed altogether. They might say no, but it is still worth a shot! These things all result in furnished rental properties feeling less like your own home than unfurnished properties.
Comparing for Convenience
Initially, it is much more convenient to move into furnished accommodation. Everything you could possibly need should already be in there. This includes cutlery, crockery, chairs, and dining tables. You might even be supplied with a kettle and microwave, depending on how generous your landlord is. Most importantly, beds and mattresses are already supplied. You may also get a preinstalled HVAC unit, which could help you save installation money. Instead, you can just hire an HVAC service provider from websites like aquidneckservices.com for regular upkeep and inspection so that the system can run efficiently and effectively. As a result of these benefits, you can be settled into your new property within a couple of hours and save money on purchasing new home appliances and other necessities.
Unfortunately, renters who choose unfurnished accommodation do not have that luxury. They have the hassle of moving everything in – bedframes, kitchen supplies, sofas, you name it. Those with unfurnished properties can sometimes take weeks to properly settle themselves in. This is especially true if you are living in an apartment complex, with all those flights of stairs. Meanwhile, tenants in furnished accommodation can simply swan in and start comfortably living in their new home. However, in furnished properties, renters usually have to rely on their landlords a lot more. If something breaks, like a table leg, they need to go through the landlord to get it fixed. This might also come out of their deposit. They must also deal with much older, faulty equipment and furniture. These things aren’t so much a problem in unfurnished accommodation.
Flexibility and Contract Terms
One factor to consider when choosing between a furnished or unfurnished rental property is the flexibility and contract terms offered by the landlord. Furnished properties often come with longer lease terms, as landlords aim to minimize turnover and the associated costs of refurnishing the unit. Unfurnished properties, on the other hand, may offer more flexibility in terms of lease duration, allowing tenants to commit to shorter-term contracts if desired.
Additionally, furnished rentals may have stricter rules regarding modifications or alterations to the property, as the landlord has invested in providing the furnishings. Unfurnished units usually offer more leeway for tenants to personalize the space according to their preferences, such as painting walls or making minor renovations (with landlord approval, of course).
Maintenance and Upkeep
When renting a furnished property, the landlord is typically responsible for maintaining and replacing any damaged or worn-out furniture and appliances. This can be a convenience for tenants, as they do not have to worry about the upkeep or replacement costs of these items. However, it also means that tenants may have to wait for the landlord to address any issues that arise.
In an unfurnished rental, tenants are responsible for maintaining their own furniture and appliances. While this may require more effort and expense on the tenant’s part, it also allows for greater control over the condition and quality of the items in the living space. For example, during the winter season when the house is prone to becoming extremely cold, if a tenant needs to fix their boiler or purchase propane gas, they could simply contact retailers like Wendt Propane and have it delivered to their home without needing to wait for their landlord’s approval. This can significantly improve the tenant’s comfort and convenience, especially during urgent situations such as heating system malfunctions or appliance breakdowns.
Moving and Relocation
Moving into a furnished rental property can be more convenient, as it eliminates the need to transport large furniture items or appliances. This can be particularly beneficial for those who are relocating from another city or country, as it reduces the overall moving costs and hassle.
However, for those who already own furniture and appliances, an unfurnished rental may be more practical. Moving into a furnished unit would require finding temporary storage solutions or selling existing items, which can be inconvenient and costly.
When it comes time to move out, furnished rentals also present the challenge of properly cleaning and restoring the space to its original condition, which may require professional cleaning services to ensure the full security deposit is returned.
Now you know a little more about the advantages and disadvantages of furnished and unfurnished properties, you can make a better-informed decision about which you would prefer.