Apartment hunting for furnished units can be tricky because you will need to check not just the overall condition of the unit but the condition of the furnishings as well. If you are looking for a furnished apartment, knowing how to look and what to look for is crucial so you can get your money’s worth. Read on to know how to find the right furnished apartment in Washington DC that works with your budget and needs.
How to Find Furnished Apartments in Washington DC
Look for established furnished apartment providers.
Real estate experts recommend that you look at local apartment providers instead of national chains since they are likely to offer competitive prices and are often a good source of knowledge about the local community such as nearby schools, shopping areas, restaurants and the like. This can be particularly helpful if you are new to the area. Washington DC has a number of established local short term rental companies that can give you a couple of options based on your budget, length of stay and other requirements.
Clarify what furnishings are involved and their condition.
A thorough check of the state of the unit and the furnishings can give you a good idea of the condition of the furnishings so you can negotiate which furnishings need to be replaced or fixed, if there are any. Some landlords are willing to put in new furnishings if the old ones need to be replaced with the cost included in the rental price. Ask what the terms and conditions are regarding issues like these.
Look for units away from the city center.
You have a higher chance of finding more affordable furnished units the farther you are from the city center and business districts. This is especially ideal if your workplace is located away from the center which can give you more flexibility to find apartments in the outer areas.
Make sure sublets are allowed if you choose a sublet apartment.
Many apartments or condos do not allow subleasing. If you are looking at a furnished sublet apartment, make sure that the leaseholder is contractually allowed to lease the unit to you. Otherwise, you may face potential eviction if the owner finds out. Most leases will require the written approval of both the leaseholder and the landlord if sublets are allowed.
Watch out for red flags.
If the answers don’t make sense or if there’s anything suspicious, like not being to connect directly with the owner of the unit or the renter refusing to show you the lease, move on to your next option. Numerous scams revolve around furnished short-term rentals so it is best to cross off listings that do not sound reliable.
Rentals for furnished apartments in Washington DC can be challenging to find. However, with a little elbow grease and the tips above, you can find the right rental that fits your requirements.
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