Financial advice for a tenant renting an unfurnished property

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PoundMan

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I am about to rent an unfurnished property. I was surprised to even have to buy my own white goods appliances such as a fridge and cooker. It's a very small old cottage, not the type of place I would ever want to buy but it's fine for renting for a year or two. I can afford a deposit but it is my preference to rent in the shorter term to see if I settle in the area before committing to buying. I'm thinking it is probably wise to just buy the cheapest stuff possible when furnishing the house as some of it may not be suitable for me to bring with me to any future larger property? I'm also thinking I just keep receipts of everything as proof that it actually belongs to me instead of the landlord? Should I also be taking before and after photos? It's quite frustrating as the house needs a lot of work to leave it looking nice and to mely mind it should really be the responsibility of the landlord doing a lot of that work. But I don't want to rock the boat with the landlord and potentially lose the place as I'm desperate for my own space after living with in-laws for nearly 4 years.
 
Surprised you can find unfurnished to be honest.

Having said that - all white goods are a standard size, so they'll fit any kitchen / utility where there is space left for them, so I'd buy as best as you can afford. Yes keep receipts - photocopy them in case they degrade.

Everything else you can get from facebook market place cheap as chips.

Get a second hand wooden bedframe & new mattress / topper from ikea.

Scour the charity shops for pots / pans / glasses / crockery.

On the cooker front - ikea do a plug in induction hob for about €50. Start with that & then see if you want to get an airfryer.
 
Hence my surprise at OP being offered unfurnished.

Having said that, if both parties are happy with the arrangement; then I'd leave sleeping dogs lie.
 
DannyBoyD said:
Hence my surprise at OP being offered unfurnished.

Having said that, if both parties are happy with the arrangement; then I'd leave sleeping dogs lie.
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Yes it's a tricky one and not ideal. It probably won't be a registered tenancy either unfortunately but I can't afford to be fussy any more at this stage. I already lost a previous tenancy over enquiring about a rent book when being asked to pay cash so unfortunately trying to do everything strictly above board has been detrimental at times.
 
Sue Ellen said:
IMHO stay away from BEKO electrical stuff. I know some people can be lucky with the odd item but have heard so many friends complain so strongly about it lasting no time.
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100% correct, you'll get 2 to 3 years out of them, same for hotpoint.(I'm sure there are exceptions....I've never encountered them though).

The quality was so bad with both that I replaced and continue to replace with Bosch (either new or secondhand). Beko and Hotpoint are classic false economies.
 
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Electrolux is good, will always go there for great washing machines. Mind you, I have the cheapest of cheap American style self defrosting fridge freezer called Ideal. I got it in an emergency when my last one suddenly died, a day or two before Christmas. It cost me €400 seven or eight years ago! Never let me down since it came. It used to be slightly noisy when new. Now I never hear a peep out of it. On it goes with never a problem in the world. Have to heartily recommend.
 
If you're buying white goods for the future than you should buy well. Unfurnished I get, but without the white goods is very odd. To be frank the place sounds horrendous, bet it's cold and damp in the winter and you will regret this. Probably extortionate to heat too. Does it have hot water and central heating and have you tested them.
 
Bronte said:
Ikea do a one box does all set, that's hard to beat for value. Having said that if the OP is broke, you can pick up a load of things in the Pound shop.
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I am quite fortunate in that family and friends have offered to donate me a lot of spare things (e.g. pots, pans, cutlery, cups, glasses, etc) that they didn't need.

I admit it is indeed very odd but beggars cannot be choosers and I am desperate for my own space having lived with in-laws for four years. The property was lived in right up until 2023 when the previous occupant passed away so it isn't in bad condition as such. There is oil heating with a new boiler recently installed, and also a solid-fuel stove recently installed where the open fireplace used to be. The landlord is a decent person, and had done bits and pieces of work to the place (painting, new flooring, skirting boards, etc) but it is just kind of strange that white goods weren't included beyond a washing machine. You could be correct that I may very well end up regretting it, but it will only be a short-term option for 1-2 years and I'd have far more regret for not taking a chance on it.
 
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