Furnished accommodation can make the first weeks easier, while an unfurnished flat may suit a longer stay better. Compare the scenarios over the period you expect to stay, not just by the starting price.

List what you really need

Check the workspace, beds, storage, kitchen and household appliances. The word “furnished” says nothing about quality or completeness. Ask which items are handed over and how their condition is recorded.

Calculate the whole period of use

For an unfurnished flat, add buying, delivery and assembly. For a furnished one, add restrictions on replacing items and storing furniture you do not need. In both cases, consider the cost of your next move and the terms of the specific contract.

How to compare when the flat is ready to live in

Put together your own minimum set: places to sleep, a work surface, storage, a way to cook and essential appliances. For each flat, note what is actually handed over and in what condition. The word “furnished” does not automatically cover your needs. If some furniture does not suit you, ask whether it can be moved or stored. For an unfurnished flat, note delivery and assembly time separately. Compare not the number of items in the photos but the point at which the flat can perform the everyday functions your family needs.

How to factor in your next move

Check what stays with the landlord, what belongs to you and what has been agreed about returning the flat in its original condition. Do not assume that everything you see is a future purchase or included as a gift. For your own belongings, consider transport and whether you can reuse them; for furniture provided, its scope and the record of its condition. For a short stay, set-up costs carry a different weight than for a long-term one. The decision depends on the specific terms and your expected scenario, not on any universal advantage of one type of accommodation.

What to check

  • Ask for an inventory.
  • Check the dimensions of the furniture you need.
  • Add the cost of delivery and assembly.
  • Compare options over the same length of stay.

Example situation

If you need to work from home straight away, the lack of a suitable desk may matter more than a nice sofa that takes up much of the room.

Next step

Choose fittings that suit your life and the length of your stay, not the number of items in the photos.

Official information on this topic

Checklists and examples are organisational recommendations. Requirements depend on the procedure, the city and your situation; check them with the relevant office before you act. Please discuss legal and tax questions with an authorised professional.

This article was prepared with the help of AI. The example illustrates the approach and does not describe a client case.