UNFURNISED OR FURNISHED?

This is one of the most widely asked questions, and there is no right or wrong answer. Safety is now an import question and you (or your letting agent) must ensure that your soft furnishings meet the current standards.

You now get the same legal protection when your property is furnished or unfurnished. Furnished properties used to get higher rents but in today there is not much difference, though smaller properties are often let more quickly when furnished.

PREPARING TO LET UNFURNISHED PROPERTIES

The property should be professionally cleaned throughout; including carpets and curtains in all rooms. A property can never be too clean at commencement as this is how the tenant will have to hand back the property at termination.

The kitchen should include a cooker, a fridge/freezer, a washing machine and a dishwasher (optional). The remainder of the property can be entirely unfurnished with the exception of carpets, curtains/blinds and light fittings.

PREPARING TO LET FURNISHED PROPERTIES

A fully furnished property should be ready for immediate occupation without the tenant providing anything but their personal belongings (with the exception of TV/video, Hi-Fi) and should include the following:

Kitchen:

Cooker

Fridge/Freezer

Washing Machine/Dryer

Dishwasher (optional)

Microwave (optional)

Electric Kettle and Toaster

Set of Saucepans and Frying Pan

Matching dinner dervice

Cutlery and ditchen utensils

Selection of bakeware

Iron and ironing board

Vacuum cleaner

Broom

Dustpan and brush

Mop and bucket

Lounge:

Three piece suite

Coffee table

Table lamps

TV unit/stand

Bedrooms: (Each bedroom should have)

Bed and mattress in good condition

Mattress covers

New pillows and duvet

Wardrobes

Dressing table and stool/Chest of drawers

Bedside table and lamp

Dining Room:

Dining table with chairs (suitable for size of property)

Sideboard or equivalent

Placemats

Bathroom:

Bathroom cabinet

Electric shower (optional but preferable)

Shower curtain (if applicable)

Mirror

Bath and pedestal mat

Garden: (Should be left in a manageable, 'seasonal' order)

Dustbin

Lawn mover

Gardening tools

Hosepipe

Garage: Should be left empty with keys

It is important that furnishings, fittings and dcor should be of reasonable quality and in keeping with the style of the property. This will make the property more appealing to prospective tenants, improve your prospects of achieving a fair rental value, avoid continual maintenance and repair of low quality items and, we find, encourages tenants to respect the property as if it were their own.