When you buy to let, there are many things that you need to consider. However, with thought and planning, the process can be seamless, hassle-free and a wise investment for the future – particularly in prime areas where rental demand will always remain high, such as London. Knowing how to furnish your property is perhaps one of the biggest considerations, with practicalities to bear in mind, as well as an awareness of how your interior will affect the type of tenants you’ll attract, and the kind of contracts they will be looking for.

First things first, why furnish your buy-to-let? 

As a landlord you are under no legal obligation to furnish your property and there is no right or wrong answer to whether you should leave the walls bare or create a turnkey property (one that is ready for immediate use). However, what you’re willing to offer will have a direct impact on who will be willing to rent your property. While some tenants may want to provide their own furniture, providing accommodation that is immediately ready for use holds wide appeal for a number of renters.

Jon Reynolds, Head of Knight Frank’s North and East London Lettings explains: “We find that the overwhelming majority of our tenants require a furnished property. Corporate tenants in London are often only here on secondment for a year or two, with little desire to purchase or rent furniture for such a short duration.

“The same is true for international students or those renting a pied-á-terre, a growing trend we are seeing right now as people look to limit their travel in and out of the city. We would, therefore, recommend furnishing and styling your rental property to maximise the return”.

 Here are some of the benefits of furnishing your buy-to-let:

• Dependent on location, asset type and rental demand, furnishing your property to a good standard will inevitably attract those who want hassle-free renting, including mobile professionals, corporate tenants, tenants from overseas, international students and tenants looking for short-term lets.
• Because of the range of tenants you will attract, you may be able to rent your property faster.
• You may also be able to increase the rental price, depending on the quality of your facilities and furnishings.

Above: Knight Frank Interior Services dress-to-let project at Enford Street

What furniture and furnishings should you include in a buy-to-let?

When it comes to starting out, it’s worth sorting the must-haves from the optional. For standard rentals, kitchen appliances such as fridge-freezers, cookers, dishwashers and washing machines, all fall into the ‘must-have’ category. It’s also worth bearing in mind any furnishings that may be considered a little more complex to fit – such as curtain tracks, rails, and blinds. By making sure these are fitted yourself, you can ensure that the work is done to an appropriate standard and save yourself the worry of your tenants trying their own hand at tricky DIY. Bathroom fittings such as mirrors and towel rails are also small but important details to remember.

Other furniture to think about:

• Beds and bedroom furniture such as wardrobes, chests of drawers and bedside tables.
• Lighting and lamps.
• Dining table and chairs.
• Sofas, chairs and soft furnishings such as rugs and carpets, depending on what flooring you have.

There is no legal definition as to what constitutes a ‘furnished’ property. The items mentioned above constitute the basics, but for high-end, luxury rentals, crockery, cutlery, towels and bedding and top-end furniture will also be expected.

Tara Welsh, Director at Knight Frank Interior Services talks about furnishing a rental property based on her wealth of experience: “There are several benefits to providing a furnished property. From a landlord’s perspective, furniture packages are more attractive to your future tenants, especially if it is of good quality.

“It also opens more doors, attracting those who are not able to move around with furniture, while being a helpful marketing tool, increasing the number of viewings by 100%* and minimising the time the property is on the market for.

“At Knight Frank Interiors, when you select one of our unique in-house collections, you can rest assured careful consideration is given to the design, style, and functionality of your property, and most importantly, the rental yield will be achieved”.

*Home Staging Report 2019.

Above: Knight Frank Interior Services dress-to-let project at Enford Street

Choosing an interior style that works for everyone

Choosing an interior theme or colour scheme for your rental is important to get right. Forget personal taste – because when it comes to decorating your buy-to-let, clean, bright and neutral is the way forward.

Here are a few top tips:

• Avoid trends when it comes to decorating – a quirky, intricate pattern wallpaper for a feature wall may seem like a good idea, but it could put off potential tenants with different tastes.
• Remember that light, bright colours make rooms seem bigger and more spacious.
• Think about quality and durability, particularly when it comes to fittings and fabrics. Don’t choose light fabrics that are hard to clean or easy to stain, it may be the way forward when it comes to wall colour, but white sofa covers aren’t quite so practical.

How you choose to decorate your property will depend partly on which market you are aiming for, but remember to give your tenants some room to make the property feel homely and like their own – when it comes to small details and aesthetics, allow them to feel as though they have a good quality, comfortable blank canvas.    

If your property is in an urban location, then it’s vital not to neglect any outdoor space if you’re lucky enough to have it. Ensure that any outdoor areas are clean, tidy and usable. Chloe Wills, Interior Designer at Knight Frank Interior Services says: “Providing your tenants with the most cost-effective furnishing solutions is important. Now more than ever renters are looking for a space that has a study functionality, as well as a home they can relax in. Not only that, but outdoor space has also become a bigger priority since lockdown when looking for a new property”.

Legal obligations for landlords

Furniture must conform to the legal fire-resistant standard - all fabric furniture such as sofas and armchairs must have labels proving that they meet this standard.

Insuring the contents of your rental property

It is sensible to get the contents of your rental property insured. A letting agent will be able to make a detailed list (inventory) of everything in the property before the tenancy starts.

When the tenancy ends, the agent will return to check that everything is still there and make a note of any damage or wear and tear.

Need help with letting your property? Contact us today, we’re always happy to help.

Looking for interior inspiration?