The time of your independence has finally arrived! You will be able to live alone, far from your family cocoon. After this beautiful moment of joy, it is now time for you to start looking for your apartment. Your heart is swinging between a furnished and an unfurnished rental. Both have their advantages and, beyond the practical aspect, there are big differences between renting an unfurnished or a furnished apartment. You’re the lucky one ! We are going to help you make a choice with this article, so let’s start reading below!
You might think that a furnished home should be furnished from head to toe. Is this true? In France, the law is very strict about what constitutes a “furnished apartment”. In fact, according to the government’s website, accommodation is said to be “furnished” when it includes at least all the equipment listed below:
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- Bedding, with a comforter or blanket
- Shutters, or curtains in the bedroom(s)
- A cooking plate
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- An oven or a microwave oven
- A refrigerator and a freezer, or at least a freezer compartment in the refrigerator with a maximum temperature of -6
- Sufficient dishes for the occupants to eat their meals
- Kitchen utensils
- A dinning table
- Chairs
- Storage shelves
- Lights
- Housekeeping equipment adapted to the characteristics of the dwelling (vacuum cleaner if there is carpet, broom and mop for tiles…)
If any of these elements is missing, then the dwelling is legally considered as empty.
The main differences on an administrative point of view
A furnished rental differs from an unfurnished rental from a physical as well as from an administrative point of view, especially when the length of the notice period is concerned. To help you find your way around, here is a summary table of the basics of renting that will help you understand the main differences:
| Characteristics of empty and furnished rentals | |||
| Length of the lease | Security deposit | Length of notice period | |
| Empty accommodation | Minimum of 3 years | Maximum of 1 month | 3 mois minimum
Depending on the location of the accommodation, i.e. whether it is in a tense area or not, the notice period can be reduced to a minimum of 1 month |
| Furnished accommodation | Minimum of 1 year
If the tenant is a student, the minimum lease term can be reduced to 9 months |
Maximum of 2 months | Minimum of 1 month |
Key differences in taxation
There are many differences between empty and furnished rentals. Empty rental, in the eyes of the law, constitutes a property income. This means that owners must declare the amounts received in their annual tax return. A furnished rental is registered as an industrial and commercial profit. It is then considered as a commercial activity in its own right. It is therefore a “profit made by natural persons who carry out a commercial, industrial or craft activity“.
Two taxation methods are then possible, depending on the type of rental but also, depending on what is the most advantageous for the owner:
- Actual taxation: The must-not-be-exceeded taxable ceiling is lower in an empty rental than in a furnished rental. As the real amount varies according to the city in which the house / apartment is located, we advise you to check the amount with the tax office of your city.
Flat rate taxation: By choosing this option, the owner receives a tax deduction. If the rental is furnished, it is 50% and if it is empty, 30% deductible of the total amount. It is preferable to choose this method of taxation if the costs of the work and charges incurred are higher than the amount of the fixed allowance.
Advantages and disadvantages of renting empty
There are many advantages to renting empty, including the following:
Your home your way
By renting an empty apartment, you will have the possibility to arrange it to your liking. It is also more practical. If you have just left your previous rental home, where you already had your furniture and belongings, you will not have to rent a box or clutter up your parents’ garage.
Much cheaper
When you are renting an empty apartment or house, you will quickly realize that the average monthly rent is much lower than a furnished apartment. You will also save money on the security deposit. It will only be one month against 3 for a furnished rental.
Renting an empty apartment can rhyme with freedom, if you are planning on staying there for a long time and make it your home. If not, investing in furniture and appliances (if not already included in your home) can be an additional cost, and a few sleepless nights looking for inspiration.
Advantages and disadvantages of furnished rentals
If you are hesitating or if a furnished rental comes up, these few advantages can change the game:
You won’t have nothing to spend money on anymore
On the other hand, renting a furnished apartment can make your life easier, if you are moving temporarily. This is a practical solution if you have never lived in an empty apartment before and don’t have any furniture to spare. In fact, all the equipment you will need is already there! All you have to do is start living in your new home. The other advantage is the decoration is already done. You won’t have to think about what furniture to buy or what color to put on the walls.
Une liberté de mouvement
As you may have read before, renting furnished allows you to leave your accommodation in a much shorter and reasonable amount of time. Your notice will only be of one month against 3 months for an empty rental. This is much more comfortable.
Which solutions to choose for a shared apartment?
Mostly known as a temporary housing solution, a shared home is the best choice if you want to live in large spaces without spending all your savings on rent.
Depending on your needs and desires, it is surely necessary to weigh the “pros” and “cons” to determine the type of shared accommodation that would suit you best. For practical reasons, we recommend that you to rent a furnished room in a shared apartment. You are lucky because the majority of flat shares are now fully equipped. By choosing this solution, the necessities you will need will already be in your apartment. You won’t have to pay extra for a bed, dishes or furniture. Unless you deliberately want to change the equipment. As other people have already moved in before you, they may have left some decoration or extra accessories. This is an undeniable saving that counts, mostly if you are a student or a young professional who has just started working.
Coliving, easy-made rental
If the idea of sharing a home appeals to you, but you would like to try a different style of living in community, why not try coliving?
Coliving is a mix between a shared apartment and a hotel, and it will satisfy all your desires. Just like accommodation share, coliving involves sharing your apartment with several other tenants, with a few differences.
Coliving : all included
In coliving, everything is included: from your internet subscription, to your home insurance, to your gas, electricity and heating (the last-mentioned are subject to an advance payment). You will only have to pay the posted amount of your rent.
Uncompromising independence
Here, you will maintain your independence with your own private space, consisting of a bedroom and bathroom, if the configuration allows it. But the independence doesn’t stop there, as it is noticed on the rental contract. Contrary to accommodation sharing which integrates all the roommates on the same lease, coliving offers them the possibility to be on individual leases. This simplifies the procedures when one of the colivers (name given to the tenants) takes leave of his/her room.
A neat and trendy decoration
Living in coliving also means enjoying renovated spaces. The common areas and the bedrooms are all renovated, so that you can settle in serenely. They are rented furnished and decorated with taste. Punctuated with touches of colors, they will suit each tenant’s style, while having a strong personality and an elegant design.
Have we made you want to move into a coliving apartment? Find out more about this type of accommodation, join one of our apartments and join the “Colivys” community.
