How to Furnish a Student's Appartment?

i might be in the minority but my first student apartments, and my brother and sister's, were never furnished. -and i would NOT want to sleep on a bed i didn't know where it had been...

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Dont furnish it esp with beds unless you are willing to replace mattresses after each move out. I wouldnt want to sleep on a used college kids mattress, yuck

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Every place I rented in college was unfurnished.

Honestly, as a landlord, I wouldn't recommend providing any of those. Students tend to be really disrespectful to properties (generally speaking), and occasionally you'll get some really respectful, mature students. Generally, though, you're going to get students who have parties and trash the place, so I'd invest as little as possible into furnishing it.

I never expected to walk into a furnished apartment, and we did a good job of bringing hand-me-downs from parents or getting good finds at places like Goodwill.

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Hi:

It's been twenty years since I rented an apartment as a student but I did not expect any furnishings then. (However, the kitchen had all the necessary appliances.) My parents and the parents of my roommates provided everything that we needed. It was fun to shop (with the little resource we had back then) to find things we wanted in our little home.

I think you take a greater risk in renting a furnished apartment and spending unnecessary money. We rent out property currently and though we keep it well kept, we think about our purchases for that home as being replacable. For instance, when we replaced the carpet we put 'renter' grade carpet in knowing that whenever our renters move, it most likely will need to be replaced (even though they are wonderful and certainly are taking really good care of it).

Also, what if they have a bed or other items you are thinking of providing? What do they do with their items? What do you do if you need to store the unwanted items?

Good luck. I think in this case less is more. Don't assume they don't have the resources to provide what they need. Also if they don't have the resources, do you really want to rent to someone who can't afford a towel? Will they make their monthly rent? Renters surprise you. We offered to provide a gardener but our tenants said that they loved their gardener and they were willing to pay out of their pocket to keep their guy. Yeah! By the way, he does a great job.

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I live right next to the UW. Except for frat houses, all of the student rentals in our area are UNfurnished. The dorms are semi-furnished (bed only, sometimes a desk nailed to the floor), but the university sub'd student housing off campus is also unfurnished.

A thing to consider: if you provide beds... you WILL have to sterilize them between tenants, which is always expensive, and sometimes impossible.

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Way back when our son was in high school, we started planning for his college apartment. His senior year was fun for me. I made a list of what he would need, and every payday I would shop for a certain item on the list. I hit garage sales, clearance sales, and thrift shops for most furniture, lamps, bookcase. He had a bed of his own at home we would send with him, and I bought new small appliances such as toaster, coffee maker, and blender. I made sure he had a few sets of new and used towels, and sheets, and kitchen cookware, dishes, flatware and glasses/cups. We never expected a landlord to provide anything other than the fridge, stove and if we were lucky, a dishwasher. He rented an apartment with nothing other than the fridge and stove. (would have been decent of the landlord to put a shower head in the tub instead of a pipe sticking out of the wall, but thats another story) After the school year was done, not everything came home. Not everything that came home was useable. The rest went on to his own apartment in another town for another college. I dont think most kids want someone elses "eww who knows what they did on it" mattress. (we know) I think a lot of furniture will be in rough shape when they get done with it and its just not the best idea to supply it and expect it to last. As fun as it sounds to me to decorate and fix up a place nice for some kid,, they wont care and will trash it more than likely. I do think back to when I had my very first place of my own. It was a studio apartment with a bed, dresser, small table and dinette chair, and a portable heater. I guess being young and somewhat stupid, it never occured to me what might be in that bed, but I was so pleased to have it. Now, all these years later, I wouldnt dream of using it. So my vote is to not give them anything you will miss if you never see it again, and let the student and his family have the fun of planning and preparing him for his first place. My guess is, they will leave behind some trashed piece of furniture anyway and youll end up paying to dispose of it. Good for you to have income property!

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The students provide bedding, towels, television and should provide their own dishes, sliverware and cookware. You provide book shelves, desks and furniture. At least that is how it was last year for my daughter for college. She was furnished a small radio for emergency information if needed. That was a nice touch.

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When I was in college I always lived on campus, but as an upper classman I lived out of the dorms in a university owned apartment.

I think people would expect basic furniture, but nothing that would be "consumable"

Kitchen:
-appliances
-table and chairs OR a couple of barstools if there is a place for that instead

Living room:
-couch
-chair
-coffee table

Bedrooms:
-bed (everyone loves a big bed, but no one expects more than a twin)
-desk
-dresser
-(I always had a bookshelf, but it wouldn't have stopped me from living somewhere if I had to get my own)

Bathroom:
-make sure the lightbulbs work other than that nothing

Hope this helps

T.

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My in-laws own a condo close to a CSU and they rent it to students. They originally kept it partially furnished so that they could also vacation there in the summers, but they quickly decided it wasn't worth it after my husband no longer lived there. Every summer they would go down there and find things missing or destroyed, so they quit replacing them because it wasn't worth it. College students don't expect there to be furnishing! Don't furnish it unless you want to throw away money. College students will tend to respect their own furniture, but not someone elses...and their friends definitely will not!

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Well we just moved our son into a 4 BR apartment in a college town. There was a stove, a fridge and a washer and dryer. I was quite frankly surprised there was a washer and dryer!

I agree with other posters that in general, your property may not be as respected as if they had to provide their own. I would be willing to bet that you will be replacing a lot of that stuff every year which will be a huge expense for you.

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Just basic furniture. Dont even contenplate towels and such...unless of couse you just WANT to throw money away. As far as the furniture, just cheap ol' garage sale stuff....those kids will RUIN it anyway.Its your investment...not a donation.
M:)

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It's not any different renting to students than regular people. You have to decide whether you are going to rent a furnished apartment or not. Usually more rent is charge for a furnished apartment. You might also charge a higher deposit because you will have more damage to contend with (not just the apartment but the furniture etc.). Chances are that in a college community the higher price won't go over well-budgets are tight. Many students already bring dressers, beds etc. from home anyway and don't need furnished apartments. You do not need to supply bed linens, towels etc. for any reason-you are not a hotel. You need to provide the fridge and stove; dishwasher optional, microwave optional, washer/dryer optional. If possible I would provide the dishwasher, microwave (build it in otherwise it will get stolen), and washer/dryer - most people are accustomed to these things and will be more inclined to rent from you. When I was in college, only these things were provided- I provided my bed, dishes, linens, desk etc. Quite honestly if you provide furniture you will incurr extra expense-you will have to replace them frequently due to damage and just because they have gotten "gross". SMall items like dishes, silverware, towels etc. will disappear from the apartment when the students do and you will be constantly replacing such small items. They will take them to their next apartment for free. ANy renters are capable of dishonest activities, not just students. Be aware and minimize any opportunity for them to be dishonest. Be aware that not all people are clean housekeepers either-some are downright gross. One year I lived with 2 women who were so gross that NO ONE would visit our apartment because it stunk (I won't go into details)! It was quite an awful experience. Collect an ADEQUATE DEPOSIT for cleaning purposes. Research your areas rental prices and deposits and try to be as on par with them as you can be-you want to be competitive.You will live and learn each year you are a landlord. I'm sure it will be a good experience overall. Good luck!

I would hope to find what you would find in a college dorm--major appliances (microwave is ideal but not necessary), basic furniture for living (bed, desk, dresser, table, dining chair/s, a couch and/or chair). Students usually provide the accessories, including kitchen supplies (cookware, flatware, dishes, etc.), unnecessary furniture (entertainment center, coffee table, night stand, accent furniture, more chairs), and furnishings including bedding, as well as other appliances like a television. If you can provide bookshelves and any extra school-related furniture, they would probably appreciate it. Students can dress up or down accordingly.

Furniture was great, although not always provided. Just the basics should more than suffice (couch, table, chairs, bed frame, book case). Linens and bedding, towels, etc., were never provided. When an apartment had a television, that was seriously wonderful! Good luck!

Hi Mama, I am not sure what the norm is, but think of it as an apartment rental- there usually isn't any furniture in an apartment when you rent it- you bring all your own. You def should NOT supply sheets, comforters, etc. Dishes are totally optional, towels, I would say no too. You can leave the basic furniture in there if you desire, like book shelves and a desk, with the info in the rental agreement that all furnture stays and all furniture stays in relatively the same condition as when they moved in. The T.V. is on the students to purchase. I think, honestly, what you already have in the apartment is more than enough. If you really want to add a few more items, go with the kitchen wares. Those are probably the last thing a student thinks about and could use. HOwever, I recommend Target or Wal Mart brand items on those things. The other furnishings, like sheets, etc- are for the students, or parents of the students to provide, not the land lord.
I hope that helps!
Good luck
-E.

You could provide the bookshelves, your should provide desks. The other items should be on the student....they are on the list of things that colleges tell kids to bring.

I briefly worked in a residential hotel when I was young. Don't put anything in the apartment that can fit in a suitcase - it will get stolen.
Don't put electronics for the same reason. Most college kids have a TV etc. from their room at home.
DO put a waterproof cover on the mattress and maybe an inexpensive sofabed in the living room.
If you choose to provide bedding - buy things that are inexpensive and easily washable. I would replace pillows with each new tenant. Hotels in CA are required to replace pillows every 3 months.
Book shelves and desks are a nice touch - provide surge protector power strips to protect your property and require renter's insurance.
Stick a menu from your favorite pizza delivery on the fridge to make them feel at home ;)
Good luck ;)

I lived in 3 different furnished apts. near campus when I was a college student. They all provided a bed/mattress, a desk, a dresser; couches, coffee table and floor lamp in living room; dining table and chairs; stove and fridge in Kitchen. All were in apt. complexes so the landlords had storage spaces for extra furniture or for replacements. These were all very generic, sturdy furniture.

Most had a paid laundry facility within the complex, otherwise, we went to a close by laundromat. There were no microwave at the time; but a cheap one now lasted us more than 10 years just for heat ups but not for cooking.

Once my roommate burned a mattress accidentally with a cigarette; a roommate's boyfriend punched a hole in a wall, another in a hollow core bathroom door; a full length drapery against a sliding patio door got mildews; these were all paid for at the end! Locks were changed after every tenant...

When I was a student I didn't expect anything in the apartment. I had to furnish it completely. I personally wouldn't put anything in the apartment as I would be worried it would get destroyed. But as example for you on what to furnish would be a dorm room. They provide a bed and sometimes a microwave. A nightstand and I believe a desk for each student. That's about it.

desk and book shelves for each student

very basic pieces of furniture only. no decorations at all. no on tv, bookshelves etc. I would do a bed and dresser in the bedrooms, table and 4 chairs in dining room, basic cookware and dishes should be there. couch and chair and endtables and coffee table and that is it. they can provide all else they need. My son goes to school at carthage in kenosha WI for the past 2 years he has shared a house with 5 other guys from college. house was totally empty in bedrooms kids had to provide there own stuff. living room had 2 pull out couches, dining room had table w/6 chairs. thats it. house has 3 bedrooms and basement has been finished with 3 bedrooms and a family room type room w/bathroom. it is amazing how clean these 6 boys keep the house lol. kids can and will bring there own tvs, bedding etc. they will decorate it the way they want it.

No, all these other things you mention I think you do not need to provide. Most college students, whether headed to the dorms or an off campus apt (but especially an off campus apt!) expect to bring their own bedding and personal preferences. Off campus students expect to have a kitchen and to have to cook for themselves. If you want to be kind and leave some basic cookware, I would pick some up (or use your own ready-to-get-rid-of stuff) from a Goodwill. Do not provide a nice set of towels, or pots or cutlery, etc. At the end of the year, the last student to leave assumes that everything left behind was forgotten or abandoned by the other roommates and takes it.

An exception is providing a desk, since college dorms do come with a desk or some type of study surface. Maybe a bookcase or two as well if there aren't cabinets or other spaces to put books and personal stuff. Don't overfurnish since students often will bring their own personal items to make it like home.

If you provide all the other stuff, then I'd maybe up the rent a little bit and itemize the extra items (linens, kitchen ware, etc) in the rental agreement.

If you look at the ads this time of the year, there are all kinds of stuff (bedding, kitchen ware, furnishings, lamps, etc) geared towards students headed to college. That is what the students need to bring, not for you to provide. If you do provide anything, then goodwill/2nd hand stuff only. (and maybe a storage shed if they decide they don't want to use yours and have their own) Otherwise your stuff will be left who knows where for the year.

I would not provide anything else except a possibly a desk in each room. When I was a student, I was responsible for anything that I would use. In the dorms, I had a desk, a bed, and a bookshelf. That was it. When I rented an apartment, I didn't have anything provided except for a place to live and appliances. I had to provide a bed, a desk, a bookshelf, table and chairs. The students should be responsible for sheets, towels, blankets, pillows, dishes and utensils, etc. After all, that is part of living on their own, whether or not someone is going to college.

Remember to get a down payment and this goes towards fixing up what is stained, broken, etc. Good luck!

I'm not really sure what the "proper" things to provide are, but if it were me, I would provide the cookware, dishes, desk, book shelves, lamps but leave the bedding, towels and entertainment items to the tenant.

We had a furnished Apt. in college that had the Beds, Couch, Coffee Table, Kitchen Table, Dresser in each room, lamps in each room, Microwave, Fridge and Bath Rugs (to protect the floor, you know how college students can be.)- You had to provide your own bedding ie. sheets, blankets, Pillows, towels and dishes and cooking ware. There was a protective mattress sheet over the bed though to protect the bed. there were a few paintings but a desk would have been nice with a computer cable etc.
It was my favorite place and the manager checked on us twice a year to see what needed to be fixed etc. or just to clean the carpets.

It's been about 10 years since I was in college, but I never rented a room with any furniture. I think maybe once there was a bookshelf. I don't remember any of my friends ever renting a "furnished apartment." Every once in awhile the landlords left something from the last tenant if we wanted it, washer/dryer, big table or bookshelf, but never dishes or electronics. Definitely no to the bedding and decor, no student is going to want your fashion sense. ;)
In fact, if you have too much stuff there it will scare away students, because most of them do not want to be responsible for something else's things (rightly so)-and don't want to risk the deposit.

Hello G., I think it is great that you are doing this as my college age students respect that someone is helping them to have a safe and nice enviroment to live in.
I know that my children have always provided thier own bedding, and linen in all the places they have lived. As for the rest most college students I know have paid extra for the option to have these things in the apt.and they really are adebt at finding and getting what they need. So you could have a contract with or without. Mine have never used a desk but rather study at a large table and have one that folds down when not in use. My son said he hated the responsibility of an owners TV, although the landlord gave him the option. The thing that made my daughter crazy was that her room mate brought another person into live and it wasn't in the contract not to. So you might want to consider that. Good Luck

In my son's dorm room last year were a bed, desk, desk lamp, desk chair.
Everything else, he provided.

ok, Here's my "2 cents".....

I had a furnished apartment when I went to college. it was basic needs. the bedrooms had bed, nightstand, desk, shelf on desk(or on ground) no wall shelving. Bathroom hooks, cheap couch and coffe table. basic non-breakable dishes, 2 pots and 2 pans, silverware, cups and coffee cups..all non-breakable :o) ......everything else we had to provide.

Most families go "scope out" what their needs are prior to moving in......deposits are expected, as well as, 1st and last months rent.

Can i say I LOVE the idea of having "take out menus" on the refridgerator for them. Very cute suggestion from another post :o)

~N. :o)

When I was in college (10 years ago in CA), almost all apartments were unfurnished. Typically, the appliances are provided - fridge and oven, and sometimes a dishwasher and/or microwave. I'd say if you have furniture in decent shape that you're looking to get rid of, go ahead and put it in the rental, otherwise unfurnished should be fine. You most definitely don't need to provide pillows, linens, or a TV - the dorms don't even provide those.

i agree, we never had furnished apartments.

We rented a furnished house when I was in college - it had a bed in each bedroom, a couch in the living room, and a dining room table and chairs. As well as a few lamps. Nothing else. And that was perfect. We brought our own desks and bookshelves, and everything else.

We also paid extra (I think $25/month) for furniture wear and tear.

Good luck!

You are very kind to consider providing all this, but you are renting an apartment, not a vacation home. To students. Possibly teenage students.

When I was in undergrad the only partially furnished places were dorm rooms. Apartments were furnished by students with or without parents assistance. In grad school the same- I would have not expected and actually my preference would have been to furnish the place myself as I wouldn't want to be responsible for damaging a landlords property. It's a enough to keep the place up in school much less worry about items that are owned by the landlord.

If you decide to furnish, you may want to consider a higher security deposit to cover any damages.

Hope this helps.

You have all of the essentials. Yes, I would include all of these. When I rented a fully furnished dorm room the only thing I needed to bring were my clothes and personal effects.
So include all the above including an alarm clock in the bedroom.
If you can fit a tiny desk in each room, I would do it.
If you don't have overhead lighting, include a floor lamp in each rom (but not the torcherie ((sp?) kind as they are dangerous if left on.)
Radio

My college apts had only the structural basics. Bare mattresses and bedframes in the bedrooms. Couch, chair, coffee table. Kitchen appliances (fridge, microwave only)
That was it.
The rest we provided on our own. And that was extremely common.

Shelves, sheets, towels, shower caddies, TVs/DVDs, dishes, etc... That was all on us to provide. I would expect no more for my kids. And this was the basic "furnished" apartment that was advertised by the rental agencies.

To know what students and their families expect, you should look at other rentals available in the area. If the other apartments offer basic furnishings, then you should either provide them or rent the apartment for a little bit less to account for the lack of comparable furnishings.

I went to UC Davis. In the dorms, we had a bed with mattress, a desk, and a dresser. After my first year in the dorms I rented rooms and apartments in Davis for the next eleven years (and I moved a LOT!!!) Only _one_ of the places I rented had any furnishings at all, and that was a cottage out in the country so it was a pretty unique situation. In all other instances I was on my own for all of my furnishings.

The fridge and oven were always provided, and some of the places also provided a washer and dryer (but the rent was always a little higher to reflect that.)

It's possible, though, that in your area the standard is to provide some furnishings. I certainly agree with most of the pp's that you should only provide the absolute basics, if anything at all. You also need to properly document the condition of everything on the day the students move in - do a walk through with them and take photos of each piece, as well as the rooms. If you can date stamp them that would be best. And you'll probably also want to request a higher security deposit so that you can replace things if need be at the end of their lease. As a student, that alone would make me a bit reluctant to rent your apartment - I could get by with milk crates and second hand pieces! I would absolutely NOT provide any of the extra things you listed. Just a bed, desk, dresser, dining room table/chairs, and maybe a sofa. If you're going to allow pets then there's no way I'd provide a sofa!

But my vote would be for unfurnished, unless the standard in your area is different.