When you’re renting out a furnished property you need to get the right balance between buying furniture that will look good and still stand the test of time. In the UK, there are also safety regulations relating to furniture in rental homes that you need to be aware of.
Legal obligations
Firstly, we’ll tackle the legal aspect of furnishing a property. As a landlord, it is your responsibility to ensure all the soft furniture you leave in a rental home complies with fire safety regulations. Usually, this will be indicated on modern furniture by a label featuring a cigarette within a triangle. In older items, this may not be present, but as long as it meets regulation BS7177, you should be fine.
If you’re in any doubt about the suitability of the furniture for a rental house, your best bet is to leave it out and get something that you know complies with the regulations. In terms of electrical equipment (lamps/microwaves/washing machines etc), you need to ensure it is safe and preferably marked with the CE symbol to indicate that it’s up to standard.
Choosing furniture that will last
One thing you don’t want to have to do as a landlord is replace or repair furniture multiple times throughout a tenancy, as this can be very costly. The best way to avoid this is to choose products that are strong and designed to last.
Here are some suggestions of durable furniture that you may want to consider:
• Wooden tables – Wood is by far the most popular material for a dining or kitchen table. It’s highly durable and, even if it gets scratched, can usually be sanded down and re-varnished without too much difficulty.
• Sofas with wood frames and synthetic microfiber upholstery – A sofa with a frame made from a strong wood (like ash or beech) will last longer than one made of a softer wood (such as pine) or metal. You should opt for a synthetic microfiber upholstery if you can, as this is stain resistant and can be easily washed.
• Wire shelves – In the kitchen, you’ll need plenty of storage and wire shelving is a good choice. It’s versatile as it can be used for hanging pots and pans, as well as storing jars or wine bottles. You’ll find a selection of wire shelving products here.
• Blinds – It’s generally better to go for roller or slatted blinds than fitting curtains in rental properties as they are easier to clean than curtains – and also cheaper to replace if broken.
Think about the cost
When you’re shopping for furniture for a rental property, you should always bear the cost of the items you’re considering in mind. You have to decide whether it is worth spending a little bit extra to get something more durable, or whether you would prefer to go for the cheaper option and replace it more frequently.
Of course, you should also be prepared for the fact that your tenants may not look after your furniture particularly well, in which case it will wear more quickly than if you had it in your own home. That said, if you are prepared to shop around, you should find durable products at affordable prices.
One final thing to consider is the type of tenants you’re targeting. For instance, in a student home it may be more sensible to choose cheap items, while in a flat you are furnishing for a young professional you might be happy to spend a little more on better quality products, as people in the latter demographic are more likely to look after them.
