For landlords operating in today’s dynamic rental markets, providing an attractive, move-in-ready property can set them apart. Furnishing services, tailored specifically to landlords and property managers, have emerged as a valuable solution to ensure rental units stand out. These services provide a one-stop approach to equipping a property with furniture, appliances, and decor, catering to various tenant preferences and elevating rental appeal.
What Is a Furnishing Service for Rental Properties?
A furnishing service for rental properties is a professional service that will furnish a property with everything tenants need to live comfortably, while creating an attractive, welcoming space. These services often go beyond basic furniture installation, handling the entire process of planning, selecting, delivering, and arranging furnishings. They have expertise in sourcing quality furniture that will appeal to potential tenants and withstand wear and tear.
Landlords can work with furnishing service providers to tailor the level and style of furnishings to their market needs. Services may cater to diverse rental types, including short-term vacation rentals, corporate housing, and long-term residential units, offering a range of options from budget to luxury.
What Do Furnishing Services Typically Include?
Furnishing services cover a wide range of items to make properties move-in ready. Before hiring a provider, it’s important to clarify exactly what they include.
Furniture Packages
Sofas, beds, tables, and chairs are common inclusions. Providers usually offer packages targeting specific room layouts and styles, with customizable options for aesthetics and price points.
Soft Furnishings
Curtains, rugs, bedding, and pillows create a cohesive, comfortable environment and add aesthetic value to the space.
Decorative Items
Artwork, mirrors, lamps, and plants bring a polished, welcoming feel to the home, elevating its appeal.
Delivery and Setup
Most services include logistics, from transportation to assembling and arranging furniture in the space. Many even handle the removal of packaging materials to save landlords time and effort. This is the key to being able to provide a turnkey experience for your tenants overnight.
Interior Design Services
Some furnishing services include interior design expertise as part of their offering. These professionals create cohesive, visually appealing spaces tailored to attract target renters, incorporating layout planning, colour schemes, and stylish decor. A well-designed interior not only enhances tenant satisfaction but also makes the property stand out in listings and photos. They also focus on making spaces both functional and comfortable, using durable furniture designed to withstand wear and maintain its appearance over time.
Emergency Support
Some companies provide ongoing support or warranty services, including emergency replacement services in case of damage due to floods or other situations, so properties are always rental-ready.
Benefits of Furnishing Services
Furnishing services offer a variety of advantages, simplifying the often time-consuming process of preparing rental properties and increasing the unit’s appeal.
Improved Tenant Experience
A fully furnished rental minimizes tenant effort, making it highly desirable for young professionals, corporate clients, or students relocating for work or study. This convenience increases a property’s attractiveness. A furnishing service has the experience needed to maximize this, selecting and providing quality furniture to appeal specifically to your target market; furnishing services stay updated on current design trends, ensuring properties align with tenant preferences and feel contemporary.
Faster Leasing
A furnishing service can get your property filled sooner. It eliminates the need to personally search for and buy furniture, and streamlines processes so the furniture is delivered and placed faster.
Moreover, landlords leveraging high-quality furnishings and decor in marketing materials benefit from visually compelling photos, increasing a listing’s visibility online and attracting a wider audience. Properties with modern, tasteful furnishings tend to lease more quickly than unfurnished or poorly furnished ones because they attract a broader pool of tenants, so a rental property can start earning income sooner.
Maximized Rent Potential and Profitability
Well-furnished rentals often command higher monthly rents, helping landlords offset the costs of furnishing services while boosting their overall returns. The design expertise offered by furnishing service providers ensures a polished and cohesive interior aesthetic for maximum appeal.
Well-chosen pieces of furniture are also likely to last and look better for longer, saving on the costs of frequent replacements. The cost of a furnishing service can vary based on the scale and type of furnishings, as well as the property’s size. The long-term value often more than compensates for the expense of the service, instead improving profitability.
Time and Effort Savings
Managing furnishing logistics such as researching furniture, arranging delivery, and assembling items, is time-consuming. Outsourcing these tasks to professionals frees landlords to focus on other aspects of property management.
Resilience and Differentiation
As rental markets tighten or face other challenges, landlords must make their properties stand out. Furnishing services provide a tangible solution. Furnishing services for rental properties are a strategic investment for landlords aiming to stay ahead in competitive markets. By delivering professional expertise, time savings, and tenant-ready properties, these services create a compelling value proposition. Furnished units often achieve higher rental rates, greater tenant satisfaction, and shorter vacancy periods, making the cost of a furnishing service a worthwhile expenditure in many cases.
Marco Property Management offers comprehensive furnishing services, including interior design consultation to create stylish, functional spaces tailored to your property’s needs. They also provide emergency support, ensuring timely repairs or replacements to maintain the property’s appeal and functionality.
Sara LeBlanc is a real estate professional and furnished division property manager in Toronto.