You’d be lying if you said you’ve never spent time scrolling through property rental apps for fun. We’ve all found ourselves drooling over images of spectacular homes with matching drapes and sheets. Especially the fully furnished ones that are just waiting for new tenants to move in or even partially furnished houses waiting for that finishing touch.
There’s just something about those beautiful images that hold the promise of lives more put-together than the ones we have right now. However, gorgeous homes that come fully furnished also come at higher prices. If you (like most of us) are on a budget, it’s worth the sacrifice to consider more affordable options.
Besides cheaper rent, renting a less furnished or unfurnished home have many advantages. From having freedom in furniture selection and decor, flexibility on decorating the unit according to your taste, to not having to worry about paying for any damages caused to the owner’s household items, the pros just might outweigh the cons.
Although your goal is to cut costs, you also don’t want to be short-changed by your landlord. Certain essentials should be a given part of the unit, so you have the right to question your agent or landlord if anything is missing.
What Counts as Partially Furnished
There seems to be a blurred understanding of what the term, partially furnished, means in Malaysia. From a unit that only has bare essentials to an almost fully furnished one, there really isn’t a clear-cut definition.
Whether or not a unit comes with a bed and a mattress largely depends on the price range. Usually, a more expensive unit would have more furniture and appliances than a cheaper one. However, it’s common knowledge that there is a general list of items expected in most partially furnished and unfurnished units.
Partially Furnished vs. Unfurnished: Basic Furniture Checklist
Living Room
- Partially Furnished
- Sofas
- Curtains
- Standard light fixtures
- Fans/Air Cons
- Unfurnished
- Standard light fixtures
- Fan
Dining Room
- Partially Furnished
- Standard Light Fixtures
- Dining Table
- Few Chairs
- Fans/Air Cons
- Unfurnished
- Standard Light Fixtures
- Fan
Kitchen
- Partially Furnished
- Standard Light Fixtures
- Kitchen Cabinets
- Drawers
- Sink
- Countertops
- Fridge
- Unfurnished
- Standard Light Fixtures
- Kitchen cabinets
- Sink
Bathroom
- Partially Furnished
- Standard Light Fixtures
- Water Heater
- Bathtub/Shower
- Toilet
- Sink
- Mirror
- Unfurnished
- Standard Light Fixtures
- Bathtub/Shower
- Toilet
- Sink
Bedroom
- Partially Furnished
- Standard Light Fixtures
- Bedframe/Headboard
- Mattress
- Dresser
- Built-in Wardrobe
- Fans/Air Cons
- Unfurnished
- Standard Light Fixtures
- Fan
Additionally, you should check if your unit has other basic things like flooring (either tiled, wood, or laminated), painted walls and ceiling, and outlets. Remember, there’s a difference between unfurnished and bare!
This list serves only as a general guide on what to expect and ask from your landlord. If you find a need for an oven or another shelf, there’s no harm in asking if something can be arranged.
On the other hand, if there are certain things provided that you don’t want, you should let your landlord know. The worst thing you can do is getting rid of the furniture yourself.
Take Inventory
It’s always a good idea to include an inventory section in your tenancy agreement. This move avoids conflicts regarding issues like missing furniture and appliances. Both you and your landlord should agree on the included items for the unit that you’re renting. Make sure to crosscheck with the inventory when you surrender your keys at the end of your tenancy.
Before you sign those papers, you should also state the condition of each item to safeguard yourself. This way, there won’t be anyone to blame if there are damages found that were already there before you moved in.
Haven’t found the right place to rent? Our property rental app may have the perfect home for you. Browse anything from fully furnished units to unfurnished ones to meet your exact needs. With Rumah-i, renting is safe and easy!
