We are trying to rent out the Mother-in-law apartment at our house. We are renting it furnished and I don't know what to include in the apartment. The living room has older but clean simple furniture that provides a lot of storage space, place for TV, small bar area, glass enclosed lighted display areas, bookshelf, closet, dresser and many cupboards. There is the usual couch and chair, too. In addition there is furniture in the bedroom, lamps, dressers, etc. A kitchen, small table and chairs. There is cable TV, Washer and Dryer, dishwasher, fridge, stove and microwave. We will be painting and cleaning of course. But since it is furnished with a bed, do we provide linens? Towels? Silverware, coffeemaker? I'm not sure. I've rented house shares where they provide everything as if it were almost a hotel. Please advise.

Just remember who your customer is. It maybe a relocated business person or someone pursuing a masters or doctorate. Many times these people have existing homes that may be occupied by family members. So takingt he family dishes is not an option. Many times these units will include everything except personal effects and clothing. Do some research to see what is offered in your specific area. Better yet, talk to your prospective tenants and see what they need. Good luck.

Very often you do not furnish the TV, microwave and washer and dryer in the apartment. Normally most furnished supply sofa, chair, dining room set, bed and dresser and maybe a few lamps and tables.

Remember if you "furnish" it, you have to repair and replace it. So if the TV stops, are you going to buy them a new one, if the microwave stops are you running out to walmart and pay a new one. Same with the washer and dryer. Often on the washer and dryer if I supplied one, they signed where it was not considered "included" and if they broke I was not responsible for fixing.

Also remember if you get the wrong renter, you may be searching local pawn shops for that TV. I have had fridges, washer dryer, and window air conditioners all stolen, many, many times.

A good idea when you do rent the apt furnished is to make a very detailed itemized list of just what was in the furnished apt when the tenant took possession. There used to be a landlord's form which had items listed say for the livingroom, bedroom, etc. and you could check off th item as being in the room. Another good idea is to take color photos of everything in every room showing the condition of each item. Say the couch was unspotted with dirt and the tenant then leaves the couch a filthy torn up mess when they move. If you want to provide the silverware, dishes, linens, this is strictly up to you and your tenant.

If you do leave appliances other than fridge and stove, you can put a clause in the lease saying that you are not repairing or replacing the microwave if broken, etc. It's always a good idea to leave a paper trail with tenants.

Also, be sure to do either a background credit check or verifiable references on the tenant before renting.

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Originally Posted by TheHouseIsMine

We are trying to rent out the Mother-in-law apartment at our house. We are renting it furnished and I don't know what to include in the apartment. The living room has older but clean simple furniture that provides a lot of storage space, place for TV, small bar area, glass enclosed lighted display areas, bookshelf, closet, dresser and many cupboards. There is the usual couch and chair, too. In addition there is furniture in the bedroom, lamps, dressers, etc. A kitchen, small table and chairs. There is cable TV, Washer and Dryer, dishwasher, fridge, stove and microwave. We will be painting and cleaning of course. But since it is furnished with a bed, do we provide linens? Towels? silverware, coffeemaker? I'm not sure. I've rented house shares where they provide everything as if it were almost a hotel. Please advise.

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I never include anything I don't want to repair, replace, track down or never see again.