Decide whether you prefer to rent a furnished apartment or not.

In this article, we explain:

Now that you have decided to move to Barcelona, you may wonder whether you prefer an apartment that is fully furnished or, better yet, an empty one. At Gumper, we know that this is a very personal decision. However, based on our experience, we know that there are different factors that can modify initial preferences and tilt the balance in the opposite direction. The aesthetics of the property, the duration of the contract we are going to sign, and, above all, our liquidity to cover expenses will be some of the determining elements in this regard.

When signing a furnished apartment rental contract in Barcelona, it is important to understand that the choice between furnished or empty housing not only affects initial comfort but also the flexibility of the lease, the initial investment, and the adaptation of the property to the tenant’s needs. This type of decision is key within the housing rental market in Barcelona, especially in medium and long-term contracts.

We must start from the premise that, as a general rule, at least the kitchen will be fully equipped in any house we can rent. Therefore, the difference lies in whether the rest of the rooms have furniture or not. Often, despite the future tenant wanting to get rid of the included furniture, either because it is too old or because they wish to buy their own, they may find the unpleasant surprise that it is not possible. Therefore, the room for maneuver is almost nonexistent, and you must assume that those are the furniture you will have if you want that apartment.

In many cases, the furnished apartment rental contract includes a detailed inventory of the furniture, which implies that the tenant assumes the use of the existing goods without the possibility of free modification. This directly influences the rental experience, as it limits the personalization of the space, but in return reduces the initial investment since there is no need to buy furniture or appliances.

At other times, we encounter the opposite pole. The property is completely empty, and the future tenant neither has nor wants to acquire everything they need. The fact of living in a rental, especially if it has a very limited duration, can lead to avoiding this type of housing. However, if you are interested, you always have the option to negotiate with the owner to buy at least the basics you will need. If you decide to acquire some furniture for your own use, once you finish the contract and are about to leave, you have the option to negotiate a price for it with the landlord. If they are not interested, you can surely sell it at a second-hand store and make a profit.

In the case of furnished apartment rental, it is common for the owner to establish specific conditions regarding the use and maintenance of the included furniture, which is reflected in the lease agreement. This may include clauses about the replacement of damaged items or the preservation of the inventory throughout the duration of the contract.

As you can see, it is about taking a moment to weigh the benefits you gain from one choice or another. You are sure to get it right!

Carlos Pérez

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