Tenant Expectations - furnished/unfurnished

[Perry]

It's been my perception that - for NZ - any rental advertised
will be unfurnished, unless it says otherwise. Have I been hap-
lessly (and hopelessly) misguided? Recent inquiries - Asian-
sounding voices, all - seem quite disappointed when I tell them
that the flats are unfurnished.

What's your experience and understanding?

[Keithw]

I think it is very dependent on the type of property.
My expectation would be houses come unfurnished, except perhaps penthouses.
While apartments could be either partly furnished(whiteware etc) or unfurnished.
Studios could often be fully furnished (since you are often limited to the size of stuff you can get in them) & maybe thats where the expectation that apartments could be fully furnished is coming from, with people migrating from studios to 1 or 2 bedders.

[Perry]

So how do you see the word "flat" defined
in the range which you've quoted?

[drelly]

Yes generally unfurnished. I have some new Fijian Indian tenants who seem to think that I should satisfy their every whim and seem quite put out every time I decline to buy them the latest thing they decide the house requires. It's quite a learning experience for us both I think!

[Keithw]

So how do you see the word "flat" defined
in the range which you've quoted?

To me "Flat" can apply to almost any type of housing, but to me it sort of implies there are already tenants in place & you are sharing the property with them. Hence an expectation of all the basics being in the place.

An empty property being described as a flat implies to me that it is a property usually shared with others & so is probably more likely to have a lot of the flatting basics in place.

Perhaps you just need to change your description.

[Perry]

Hhhmmm, what then are 'basics?'
A stove? A door? Windows? Curtains?
A dishwasher? Sky TV? Free broadband
connection and computer? On and on . . .

[Heg]

IMO a 'flat' is one level with another property above or below. 'Apartment' would normally be one level but with more than two stories in the block.
I would assume unfurnished unless it states otherwise. I too have had several rcent enquiries re furniture mainly from Asian or Fijian tenants (who have also expected all utitlitis bills to be included! )

[Heg]

To me "Flat" can apply to almost any type of housing, but to me it sort of implies there are already tenants in place & you are sharing the property with them. Hence an expectation of all the basics being in the place.

An empty property being described as a flat implies to me that it is a property usually shared with others & so is probably more likely to have a lot of the flatting basics in place.

Perhaps you just need to change your description.

I disagree. See my post above.A 4 bedroom stand alone property is a house and not a flat, no matter who is living in it

[Keithw]

Just shows how we all have different interpretations of the word.
Ask a student what they call the 4 bed Brick & Tile house that they share with a few others & I'm sure most would say its their flat.

BTW I have several 2 storied apartments, with nothing above or below them, which are definitely apartments, & also have a couple of 2 storied places that i always describe as townhouses, but some would still call apartments.
Would be interesting to know if there is a standard definition

[essence]

It's been my perception that - for NZ - any rental advertised
will be unfurnished, unless it says otherwise. Have I been hap-
lessly (and hopelessly) misguided? Recent inquiries - Asian-
sounding voices, all - seem quite disappointed when I tell them
that the flats are unfurnished.

What's your experience and understanding?

I know it's not always the case, but some of those making enquiries will be Asian students who will only be here for a University year. Of course they will want everything to be included in the per week rental price, that way they don't have to pay for fridge/bed/settee/coffee table etc and then have to dispose of it at the end of the year.

I'm sure I've seen posts on here, of ppl who are doing exactly this in CBD Wellington and it's been quite successful for them. Lots of work, mind you.

[Perry]

The PTWiki obviously needs to include these terms
in the definitions (terminology and jargon) area.
So can we start with a list, here?

Flat
House
Townhouse
Apartment
Sleepout
Bedsit
Studio
Crib
Cottage

Once we get a list, then we can try to agree on
what each item should mean. Once that's done,
I'll put them onto the PTWiki.

[outspoken]

Crib
Palace
Cardboard box
Doorstep
Whare

[Perry]

I was wondering if I left myself a bit
open, there . . .

hovel
shack
shanty
tree house
houseboat
lean-to
bothy
love nest
abode
bivy . . .

Not sure how many would make it into
the To Let adverts section, though.

[Re@der]

Is there a definition in DBH Market rental section?

[spurner]

DBH records can't even differentiate between a bedsit/studio, and a 1 bedroom place.