Negotiating Piece!!..... FURNITURE puzzle: what's the solution???

Question

Perfect tenant..... perfect property...... great landlord.....

the only thing that's missing is furniture.....

And it's my job to make this last piece fit to make the Lease work for everyone!!!

Tenant is literally ready to move in next weekend.... but we're negotiating provided furniture....

Some ideas the landlord and I were thinking were:

-give the tenant a budget to just buy furniture after she moves

-select items and order for them

-have the tenant pick items and owner approve them

How would you draw up this furniture agreement addendum? any pitfalls I'm missing?

Thomas S. · Answer

If that is the case then have your client decide what he wants to provide.

Landlord makes all decisions, tenant may choose to accept or reject unit but do not ever allow a tenant to negotiate. Furniture, appliances, term, rent none of these items are negotiable. Take it or leave it.

Colleen F. · Answer

If you offer furnished you pick the furniture and you keep it when they go, what did you agree to provide?  This is really important, furnished can mean a lot of things but usually it does not mean  every stick in the house they think they may need is there. It typically is sparser then your normal house.  You can rent furniture in some locations for a couple hundred a month, take a look at what these companies provide and what it costs and it will give you an idea of what you might provide.  If you don't want to own furniture permanantly this is what you do you rent it.

In our furnished place we have obtained most items from local consignment stores except beds which we purchase new.  A bedroom would be a bed. nightstand, dresser. A living room would be a couch two end tables and a coffee table. If buying furniture I would never let the tenant pick, never. Thier taste could be very specific. Rental furniture I might let them pick with price limits.

Atwan Kwan · Answer

Thomas S. my client is the landlord.

Atwan Kwan · Answer

@Roy N. this wasn't part of a larger marketing strategy.

new client, leasing quickly.... furniture became the deal breaker.....

Allen Clark · Answer

I rent furnished houses to short term tenants in Seattle. Most people are coming from out of town and rent based on the photos. The places are furnished prior to the pictures being posted. The tenant has no say in what I buy.

Been doing this for a couple years now and it's working well.

Colleen F. · Answer

Ok, then look at the motivator to her for  you providing furnishings,  what is she trying to get out of it?  Your answer lies there.  If she wants to show up from somewhere across the country or across the world and be able to go to sleep and function immediately when she gets there provide a  basic living and bedroom setup ready when she arrives and maybe a care package for the kitchen.  If it is money she can't lay out  because she is just starting out you might do a rental package (if she wants to pick this is the best bet).    I am sure CORT or rent a center will work in your area.

For a young tenant I would go with the basic furnishings listed by myself or @Roy N.  for  student rentals.  If she is a young professional starting out and you are going to wind up removing the furniture when she gets her own definitely rent the furniture. If this unit is going to turn into a long term furnished rental buy durable nuetral furnishings. be sure to include good mattress covers for the bed.

Atwan Kwan · Answer

@Colleen F. I agree furnished does not mean including everything. Potential tenant is however really young, without many belongings, negotiating furniture to be provided...

Thomas S. · Answer

If it is being rented furnished the landlord provides the furniture and it remains when the tenant leaves. I would advise against any other arrangement. I would suggest your client should be looking for a unit that already has the furniture in place before she decides to rent.

Roy N. · Answer

If your strategy is to rent furnished units, you furnish according to the type of tenant (not an individual tenant).

For example, we have furnished rooms and houses we rent to students.  We provide bedrooms with a bed, dresser, desk and chair.  We furnish the common areas: basic sofa, chair, coffee table in the living room.  Table in the kitchen/dining room.

A colleague has a Queen Anne house that has been converted into four very spacious 2-bedroom executive rentals.  He furnishes the units with antiques ... one unit even has a piano ... and provides linens and cook/dishware.   He also charges $2500+/month.

Vic French · Answer

Wow, things must work differently in the East. I have never heard of giving a tenant a furniture allowance or providing anything more than the basics; stove and perhaps refrigerator for rentals. Perhaps provide a washer/dryer if the property is an apartment building. I made the mistake of leaving a washer and dryer in my home rental; the first thing the tenant did was overload it and I had replace with a new one so I've learned my lesson. I have amended my rental agreement to reflect that I will not be responsible for repairing or replacing washer/dryer in the future.

Negotiating Piece!!..... FURNITURE puzzle: what's the solution???

Most Popular Reply