The difference: Partly furnished & fully furnished
Partly furnished
In a partially furnished apartment, the basic equipment is available, but without complete furnishings. The basic furnishings usually include furniture such as a bed, wardrobe, tables and chairs, and sometimes a kitchen or kitchenette. Other furnishings such as crockery, decoration or certain electrical appliances are usually not included. Partially furnished apartments only offer basic furnishings.
Fully furnished
A fully furnished apartment is fully equipped and ready to move into. In addition to the furniture, it also includes crockery, household appliances (such as coffee machine, microwave) as well as decorative items, bed linen and towels. A fully furnished apartment is equipped so that the tenant only has to move in with personal belongings without having to make any additional purchases.
You own a condominium, are still undecided about the rental strategy and would like to achieve a high return at the same time? Please contact us without obligation. We offer a comprehensive service for your property, from management and marketing to furnishing.
An overview of the differences
Advantages of partly furnished apartments
Design freedom: Partially furnished apartments leave room for personal additions, such as additional furniture or decoration, so that tenants can furnish them individually.
Flexibility for tenants: Particularly if tenants already own their own furniture, a partially furnished apartment is a good option, as not everything has to be bought new or used twice.
Less maintenance: Less furnishings also means less that needs to be maintained, which reduces maintenance costs.
Disadvantages of partly furnished apartments
Lower rental interest: Partially furnished apartments can be less attractive for tenants who move in at short notice and are dependent on a fully furnished apartment, such as commuters or expats.
Additional effort for tenants: Tenants often still have to purchase their own furniture, which can be impractical, especially for short leases.
Advantages of fully furnished apartments
Ready to move in and comfortable: Fully furnished apartments can be used immediately and offer all amenities. They are ideal for short/medium-term tenants in particular, as tenants can move in without any effort on their part.
More attractive for short/medium-term tenants: Many tenants relocating for work or temporarily prefer a fully furnished apartment and are often willing to pay higher rents for it.
Higher rents possible: Fully furnished apartments generally achieve higher rents than unfurnished or partially furnished apartments, which can increase the return for landlords.
Disadvantages of fully furnished apartments
Higher investment costs: The complete furnishing of a fully furnished apartment requires higher investments on the part of the landlord.
Heavier maintenance: Furniture, household appliances and other furnishings are used more intensively and need to be regularly maintained or replaced.
Less flexibility for tenants: Fully furnished apartments often offer little space for personal furniture, which can be a limitation for tenants who want to stay long-term.
Which option is the right one?
The decision between semi-furnished and fully furnished depends on the type of tenant and the landlord’s objectives.
Fully furnished is ideal for landlords who are looking for greater flexibility and attractive rental income. This option particularly appeals to short/medium-term tenants, commuters or expats who are looking for an apartment that is ready for immediate occupancy and are willing to pay more for the comfort of fully furnished accommodation.
Semi-furnished, on the other hand, is intended more for long-term tenants who want to bring their own furniture, but this often means lower rental prices and a limited target group.
What do we recommend?
We recommend letting an apartment fully furnished and for a fixed term, as this is the safest option and allows flexibility for later personal use.
For a more long-term rental, the partially furnished option is a good choice, which entails a certain amount of risk and can only be rented out just above the rent cap due to a furnishing surcharge. This option is particularly suitable for landlords who do not need to access the apartment at short notice.
Conclusion: flexibility and convenience as needed
Both options have their particular advantages and are suitable for different rental requirements. While partially furnished apartments leave room for personalization, fully furnished apartments offer a convenient, immediately usable living solution. Landlords should therefore think carefully about which target group they want to address in order to maximize the potential of their offer.
