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Due to the boom of inexpensive international travel, many landlords and property developers have come up with the idea of alternatives to expensive hotel living. These are especially targeted towards business travelers who often have to stay in one place for a month or more and as such are forced to pay expensive hotel rates as there are no other available accommodations that are cheaper.
That is until fully furnished apartments came into being. With renters these days becoming quite picky when it comes to finding apartments to rent, landlords decided to up the ante a bit by throwing in furniture as part of the deal. Besides the fact that these apartments were instantly ready to be occupied, they were also cheaper alternatives to hotel living which can get too costly at per day rates. Also, these apartments offered more space and more privacy and fully-equipped kitchens so that you can cook your own meals rather than spend on room service or take-outs.
First, however, let us define what a fully furnished apartment is. It is an apartment unit that already contains everything you need so that you don’t need to bring or buy anything else when you move in. Some renters may request for additional items although that will depend entirely on their agreement with their landlords.
When renting fully furnished apartments, whether on a short-term or long-term basis, it is important that you know exactly what you should find in the apartment and that they are listed in your tenancy agreement. A fully-furnished apartment must have the following:
Air conditioning units
Water heater for the bathrooms
Kitchen appliances – a microwave, stove/oven, refrigerators, etc.
Beds complete with sheets and mattresses
Curtains
Cooking utensils including pots, pans, ladles
Cutlery, glass and cups
Dining set including table linens and napkins
TV
Complete living room furnishing including a sofa, side tables and lamps
Some landlords will also include a washing machine and dryer so you may want to check that as well. You should also check that the landlord will cover any repairs needed to be made both on the apartment and in any of the appliances that accidentally break down. Remember as well that once you sign the tenancy agreement, you cannot request for any additional items.
To successfully rent a fully furnished apartment, you need to understand what you’re getting for the rent you pay. Check out if any additional services and amenities are included or will they be charged separately. When booking online, you will need to request photos and references if they don’t already have it posted.
You should also ask about their policies on children and pets. Most temporary rentals have appropriate accommodations for children and pets but it is still best to ask about them on the property you are considering renting. The same goes for their smoking policies as most rentals these days are non-smoking zones.
While you may be able to find apartments on short notice online, it is best to book ahead so that you have more options to explore as far as accommodations and amenities are concerned. You will also be able to find the best ones, specifically those located near business centers in the city and in case you don’t have a car, you will also be able to learn about public transportation in the area you are considering.
And last but not the least, understand everything about cancellation and payment policies as there are times that even when you reserve with your credit card, a cash payment will still be required upon moving in. Clarify as well about any service fees – whether these are included in your rent or if they are charged separately. The payment policies must also be listed in your tenancy agreement and fully understood before you sign to avoid any hassles and conflicts later on.
Ben Goldstein is a freelance writer whose specialization includes fashion and lifestyle news, but is also a great lifesaver when it comes to finding a place to stay anywhere on the planet. He is currently a consultant for http://www.westprecinct.com.
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