Renting property in Portugal: with or without furniture?

When looking for a house to rent in Portugal, there are several factors to take into account: location, space, price, but also the conditions offered. One of the main things to consider is the question of furniture. This is especially relevant if you're moving to Portugal from abroad, and is a topic that has importance in the personal finances of those who are going to rent a house. So, when it comes to renting property in Portugal, is it better to do so with or without furniture?

With a market that already has so many furnished houses on offer, as well as totally empty houses, the decision is a personal one. But, how do you know if it is better to rent a house with or without furniture? We're here to help you weight up the pros and cons of each option, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of renting a property with and without furniture.

Renting an unfurnished house in Portugal: what are the advantages?

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• An empty flat gives you the power to negotiate the rent given that you will be renting a totally empty space
• You'll have the possibility to decorate to taste, especially if you are looking for a long-term rental.

A house without furniture: what are the disadvantages?

• Greater financial effort: besides the rent and initial deposit, you will have to also fork out and pay for all the essential furniture to live in the house. Bear in mind that even at affordable prices, basic furniture will not cost you less than 200 or 300 euros.
• Buying with the future in mind: if you are going for a long-term lease, the possibility of decorating to your liking is appealing, but you also have to think of the future. After spending all your money on furniture, what will you do with it when the contract ends? Can you reuse it in the new house? Will you stay in Portugal or move abroad? 

Are there advantages to renting a furnished home?

Renting a furnished house may be easier if you want to save some money, or if you prefer a house ready to start your life immediately, but there are other advantages:

• More economical, as you don't have to buy any furniture
• Ideal for short term rentals - e.g. Erasmus students or those who move around for work
• Possibility of a quicker move.

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Disadvantages of renting a house with furniture

However, you must bear in mind that when you opt for this solution, there are also disadvantages that you must take into account:

• You cannot choose your own furniture
• You are subject to the fact that the furniture may be in a worse state of conservation
• You have to be extra careful with the furniture as damage may lead to losing your deposit at the end of the rental.

Renting property with furniture: things to take into account

If you are thinking of renting a house with furniture, you must consider that the furniture, as well as the house itself, is the property of the landlord. For this reason, it is important to be particularly careful when it comes to damage to the furniture.

As it is natural that furniture wears out due to use over time, it is important that you understand that signs of use do not imply visible damage such as broken doors, significant scratches on tables, damaged furniture, etc.

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And don't forget that your duty of care with the furniture in a house or apartment will certainly be included in the rental contract you sign. In a lease there is usually a deposit and, as such, this implies rights and duties for both the landlord and the tenant.

One of them is precisely the compliance with the list of requirements associated with the deposit, one of which may be, for example, the proper maintenance of the furniture present in the house. In this way, the landlord will be able to impute any responsibility over you if you do not comply with what was agreed in the contract, and there will be no return of the deposit at the end of the contract.

So it is important that you understand that having furniture in a rented house can be practical, but only in some specific cases. If you are afraid of not being careful enough with the furniture, don't rent with furniture, as choosing the cheaper option could turn out to be costly.

• Find furnished and unfurnished property for rent in Portugal