One of the options when starting a couple's life in an apartment is an apartment with furniture and appliances. We have summarized the reasons why an apartment with furniture and appliances is recommended for couples and how to choose an apartment, so please use this as a reference if you are considering moving in.

What is a fully furnished apartment?

What kind of apartment is a furnished apartment? We have summarized it in two points below. Basic information about furnished apartments What are the benefits of furnished apartments?

Basic information about fully furnished apartments

A furnished apartment is a rental apartment that comes with all the furniture and appliances you need to live in. Since the furniture and appliances are already provided when you move in, you can start living comfortably right away.

What are the benefits of living in a property with furniture and appliances?

The advantage of living in a furnished apartment is that you can move in with less initial costs. Not only do you not need to purchase furniture and appliances when you move in, but because there is less luggage, moving transportation costs are also cheaper. Other major benefits include not having to go through the trouble of transporting your furniture and appliances when you move out, not having to dispose of them, and not having to discuss who will take them.

How to choose the best furnished apartment for two people

Here are three points to help you choose the best furnished apartment for two people: Necessary equipment and furniture list Floor plan and size suitable for two people Things to keep in mind when choosing a furnished apartment

List of necessary equipment and furniture

Generally, the furniture and appliances needed for two people are as follows: refrigerator, washing machine, rice cooker, microwave, vacuum cleaner, air conditioner, curtains, dining table and chairs, bed or futon. Apartments with furniture and appliances basically come equipped with the above items. (Some items are optional.) If you were to purchase everything yourself, it would cost around 400,000 yen, so if you consider that you can cut costs by that amount, an apartment with furniture and appliances is probably a good deal.

Layout and size suitable for two people

When starting to live together as a couple, first check whether the two of you have similar lifestyles. If your lifestyles are similar and you want to spend a lot of time together, a 1DK or 1LDK apartment is recommended. If you each need to have your own private space, a 2K or 2DK apartment would be better. In terms of size, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism's "Basic Plan for Housing" states that the "essential standard for the foundation of a healthy and cultured housing lifestyle" is a living area of ​​30m2 or more. If you want to live a spacious life, look for an apartment with a living area of ​​55m2 or more.

Things to keep in mind when choosing a property with furniture and appliances

While furnished properties are attractive because they come equipped with furniture and appliances so you can start living there from the day you move in, you cannot choose the quality or performance of the furniture and appliances provided. Therefore, it is difficult to arrange the room to your liking, so if you are particular about the interior, we recommend that you check what furniture and appliances will be provided when viewing the property before deciding to move in.

Comparison of rent and costs for furnished apartments

About furnished apartments We have summarized the comparison between furnished and unfurnished apartments in the following two points. Average rent for furnished apartments Comparison of costs with regular apartments

Average rent for furnished apartments

It is said that most furnished apartments are priced at 10,000 to 15,000 yen more than unfurnished apartments. Therefore, if you plan to live in the same property for more than two years, it will often end up being cheaper to rent an apartment where you have provided your own furniture and appliances. Also, be aware that some properties include cleaning fees and contract fees in the rent, which are not charged in unfurnished apartments.

Cost comparison with regular properties

Furnished apartments tend to have higher contract costs than regular properties. This is because the security deposit for furniture and appliances is included in the deposit. However, the initial costs are likely to be lower than the amount it would cost to get furniture and appliances in a regular property. Furnished apartments also tend to have higher average rents than regular properties, but if you plan to live there for less than two years, furnished apartments are cheaper. After the second year, regular properties tend to be cheaper, so we recommend that you consider how long you plan to live there before choosing a property.

How to use fully furnished apartments wisely

Here are two ways to make the most of furnished apartments: How to maintain the furniture and appliances The advantages and disadvantages of living in a furnished apartment for a long time

How to maintain furniture and home appliances

If the furniture and appliances in a furnished apartment break down or malfunction, the landlord will generally repair or replace them, but be sure to check how they will be handled when you sign the contract. Be careful not to repair things without notifying the landlord, as this could lead to trouble. Also, furniture and appliances may break down or become damaged due to deterioration over time, so be sure to check the condition of the furniture and appliances carefully when viewing the property.

The pros and cons of long-term residence

As mentioned above, if you live for more than two years, regular properties are cheaper, but apart from the cost, another advantage of a furnished apartment is that you can get to know how the furniture and appliances feel. Once you buy furniture and appliances, it takes time and money to dispose of them, so it is recommended to live in an apartment that comes with furniture and appliances to find out what suits you. The disadvantage of a long-term stay is that the longer you live, the more likely you are to have to repair or replace things. It may take a long time for replacements to be available, which may cause inconvenience to your life in the meantime.

summary

Living together in a furnished apartment may be the perfect place for two people to start living together, as there is less to prepare when moving in compared to a regular rental property. Discuss and consider the pros and cons for both of you. We hope this article will be helpful in starting a comfortable life together.