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Is it better to rent a fully furnished or an unfurnished apartment when living in London?

Much like most questions that can’t be answered with just one response, the answer depends on a number of criteria:

  • The size of rented property:

    • Or more specifically, the number of bedrooms in the potential properly.

    • Usually, in 1 to 2 bedroom apartments, the properties are furnished, whereas, for bigger properties, the majority are unfurnished.

    • So, if you have to or want to bring your own furniture and you wish to rent a property that is only 1 or 2 bedrooms, you will have far less choice.

    • This means that it is important to weigh up the pros and cons before deciding to bring your furniture to London!

  • The rental budget:

    • No surprises here! The quality of furniture varies a lot according to your budget (and the decorating taste of the owners).

    • With small budgets, the furniture can sometimes be a little tired whereas, for more expensive properties, the owners have often invested in higher quality and better designed furniture.

    • That said, this rule does not always apply and there can be surprises in both categories.

  • To summarise:

    • There are no rules that apply to all the properties, nor a minimum standard of quality because of legal restrictions or because of a code of conduct for the owners.

    • As is often the case in England, you have to just trust your instinct and your tastes, but most importantly, you must visit the properties before signing anything because the photos are often misleading!

The best chance you will have in finding the right property is if you have the choice between the two options so that you increase your chance of finding the right property for you.

Want to be fully prepared to find your next home in London? Buy and download our self-help guides!

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Guide to Renting in London

Master all the steps required to rent a property in London: how to make a rental offer; how deposits work; how to prepare your tenancy references; how to check your tenancy agreement before signing.

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Guide to London Neighbourhoods

20 top London neighbourhoods covered, with, for each neighbourhood: history and character; average rent prices for 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedrooms; transport links; local highlights.

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Guide to Settling-in in London

Learn how to:  sign up for electricity, gas, water, council tax, tv licence, internet, doctors, bank accounts, home insurance; obtain a National Insurance Number.

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Download the guide to Renting in London!

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