Can I Remove Furniture from a Furnished Apartment? What You Need to Know Before Making Changes

 

Introduction

Moving into a furnished apartment might be very convenient as the furniture and decor are already in place, ready to use. However, when it is all said and settled, you may find that not all of the furniture put in the house fits your style, needs, or space. In the light of this, one popular question comes to mind: Am I allowed to remove furniture from a furnished apartment?

Don’t wait any longer to elevate your entertainment area!

Not always a simple answer, it most often depends on your rental agreement, communication with the landlord, and further understanding the responsibilities which come with renting a furnished space. This article will delve into the minutiae of how to remove furniture from a furnished apartment, will provide some very good examples, and finally give actionable tips that will enable you to get out of this potentially tricky situation with your landlord still as your friend.

Understanding Your Lease Agreement: What Does It Say About Furniture?

First things first: take a close look at your lease agreement before you move, remove, or readjust any furniture. It should contain all the details about your tenancy, including particular rules concerning the furniture provided and how it must be maintained or returned at the end of your lease.

Key Questions to Consider:

Does it include the furniture in the rent? Most furnished rentals include the price of the furniture in the rent, whereby you are paying to use the furniture as part of your lease.

Are there any restrictions on modifying the apartment? Some leases specify that as a tenant, you have no right to remove or replace any of the furnishings provided.

What is the condition of the furniture? The agreement might stipulate that you return the furniture in its original state, and thus any removal or storage decisions should be factoring this in.

Example:

If your lease says to leave all furniture in the apartment, this could mean that removing items without permission might be a violation of contract, hence landing oneself on the receiving end of penalties, loss of your security deposit, or even termination of the lease.

Pro Tip:

In such a case, where the tenancy agreement keeps mum about removal, it is prudent that you consult your landlord on these issues. A simple conversation might save you from potential misunderstandings down the road.

How to Communicate with Your Landlord to Request Furniture Removal

This means that once you have read through your lease and find that you would like to take some or all of the furniture out of the apartment, you should immediately contact your landlord or property manager. Communication is transparent and will help you both be on the same page.

1. Explain Why You Want to Remove the Furniture

You should approach your landlord, explaining the reason for your interest in having the furniture removed. Perhaps you have better pieces already to suit your style or comfort, or maybe the furniture is too bulky or not functional.

Example: "I have just bought a new sofa which suits my living space better, and I was wondering if I could remove the current sofa provided with the apartment and store it temporarily."

Pro Tip: Frame your request in a way that it's going to be a win for you and a win for the property. For example, removing the bulky furniture can minimize wear and tear or make the place more attractive for the next tenants.

2. Suggest a Solution for a Transition Period

Some landlords might also not want you to remove the furniture permanently, perhaps because they may wish to leave an apartment sited for the next tenant. You could suggest some temporary arrangement - for example, you might propose placing the unwanted items in storage for the length of your lease.

Example: You might be able to say, "If you would allow it, I would be happy to rent a storage unit, at my expense, where your furniture could be kept safe and sound until I move out.

Pro Tip: Keep the furniture in good condition while stored. If using an off-site storage unit, go for one with climate control to avoid any potential water or temperature damage.

3. Offer to Handle the Logistics

You can make it easy for your landlord by offering to take care of the logistics required in the process of removal and storage. Also, if you are able to hire movers or take care of the transportation, your landlord might be more willing to consider your request.

For example, "I can arrange for a moving service to safely transport the furniture to storage and will ensure that it's returned in its original condition when I move out."

Pro Tip: Always get your landlord's approval of any furniture removal in writing. That way, you will have something in writing should there be any disagreement in the future.

When You Can't Remove Furniture: How About Rearranging or Customizing?

If your landlord balks at you removing the furniture, or if the storage space is a problem, there are ways to make the apartment like home without necessarily removing the pieces provided.

1. Rearrange the Layout

Sometimes, all it takes is to change the furniture around, and that can make all the difference in how the space will feel. If cramped or uncomfortable, try repositioning for a better flow, at least, or to accommodate your own furniture.

Example: The relocation of a bulky couch to a different wall may release some space for an additional accent chair or home office setup.

Pro Tip: Use floor planning applications or tools like Roomstyler or MagicPlan to help you play with different layouts without having to actually move furniture.

2. Add Personality

Even if the furniture can't be taken out, it's possible to make the place at least a little bit your own with a minimum amount of decoration. Throw pillows, blankets, artwork, or even rugs will start to tie in a look that works for you, even if the furniture isn't your first choice.

Example: If the sofa provided is neutral, add bold throw pillows and a patterned rug to bring personality into the space.

Pro Tip: Adding removable decor  is key for transforming the apartment without permanent changes.

3. Use Slipcovers and Furniture Covers

If you do not like the appearance of the furniture given but cannot remove them, then you can slipcover or cover them. To this end, you can temporarily alter the appearance without damaging the furniture.

Example: A custom slipcover for a couch or chair can trim a color and texture that will better coordinate with your décor's style.

Pro Tip: Make sure to use slipcovers that are easily removable without leaving residue or discoloration marks when you put them on and take them off of the original furniture.

What to Do When Moving Out: Returning the Apartment to Its Original Condition

If you were allowed to remove any furniture or store some of it, you need to ensure that you leave your apartment in its original state when your lease expires. This includes:

Return all the furniture provided to their respective positions in the apartment.

Assurance of cleanliness of the furniture, and no damages while storing or removing the furniture.

Take pictures of furniture before leaving, as it may save you from a number of disputes about your security deposit.

Pro Tip: Document in photo form each furniture removal and replacement so you have before and after shots for potential issues during your final walk-through.

Conclusion: Make the Apartment Work for You While Respecting the Lease

Your comfort and taste might not come alive in a furnished apartment. Well, maybe small temptation to take out some of them, but properly is important in maintaining the integrity of your lease and a good landlord-tenant relationship.

These often can be negotiated by looking at the lease, communicating openly with the landlord, and offering practical solutions, such as temporary storage or handling the logistics. Otherwise, if removal is not possible, simple changes like rearranging the layout or using slipcovers will help create a space that is uniquely yours.

After all, a furnished apartment need not restrict your creativity or comfort-it can work to your advantage, provided you go about it the right way and avoid problems that are likely to crop up afterward.

Don’t wait any longer to elevate your entertainment area!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it okay if I remove some furniture from my furnished apartment if I don't like them?

A: This depends on your lease agreement and approval from your landlord. Some landlords will allow you to take out the furniture and store it, while others make sure that the furniture remains.

Q: What do I do with the furniture if my landlord allows me to remove it?

A: Oh, yes, you could look for a storage facility to rent or find another suitable place for the furniture. You would want it kept in good enough condition so that at the end of your lease you are able to return it.

A: You would need to pay for it, or it would be deducted from your deposit in case removing the furniture goes against your lease, or the furniture gets damaged during storage. It is always prudent to seek permission in writing.