S. Worthen | Weblog

Unfurnished rental accommodation is difficult (and, weirdly, more expensive). Adam and I wanted an unfurnished place the last time we rented around Paddington since we were getting furniture as wedding presents. Eventually we got lucky with a part-furnished flat where the owner didn't mind us putting some furniture in storage (a downside, as storage wasn't cheap). I wouldn't say it's impossible, but you may have to be more open-minded about London location and rental costs than expected.

I asked an estate agent why unfurnished properties were more expensive. He said that because people could charge more for furnished properties, unfurnished properties went in the minority... which made them more of a commodity, and therefore more expensive. Grrr.

You could always go with the option of getting a 2 bedroom flat instead 1 (or a 3 BR instead of 2, and so forth), and jamming all excess furniture in the room you don't use. Call it a wacky party room. Even though it seems like wasted space, this may open up bigger and cheaper properties to you, and you'll never run out of spare chairs during parties.