If you are looking for a furnished apartment for rent, you may have been told that a furnished apartment is a very good deal. You’ve been told that everything from a flat screen television to furniture will be included in your apartment.
The truth is, every apartment has its own definition of furnishings, but they fall within a general description and then play around from that theme. Here is our guide to what furnishings are and what will be included in a furnished apartment for rent in Dubai.
Definition
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a furnishing as an object that tends to increase comfort or utility, and notes that this term is specifically used for furniture in an apartment or other building. While furnishings in apartments will usually include a set of furniture, it can also include things such as a flat-screen TV or a computer. Sometimes, utilities will be included.
In my apartment, for example, I do not have to pay the water bill. I must pay my gas, electric, and internet bills, but no water. In this sense, because the water bill is covered, you could say that the inclusion of the bill increases the apartment’s comfort or utility. However, since it is not an object, this does not count.
Basics
At the very basic definition of an object that tends to increase comfort or utility, one can argue that a kitchen sink, refrigerator, bathroom sink, heating devices, showers, small shelves, and blinds on windows are considered furnishings. However, in the modern sense of the word, since every apartment is usually required to have almost everything I mentioned here, these are not considered furnishings.
The only exception to this is shelving and blinds. In this sense, because my apartment windows came with blinds on it, and because I had shelves built into the walls, you could argue that these are minor furnishings. However, since the apartment never came with these, and instead were added by the residents, these still do not qualify as furnishings.
Advanced
So, what exactly do you get in a furnished apartment for rent? Well, you get the basics needed to live, but these are not considered furnishings because they are needed to make the apartment habitable. Therefore, we offer the definition that furnishings must be specifically an EXTRA object that tends to increase comfort or utility, including furniture, beyond the basic habitability of the apartment. Here are some examples.
Furniture
Believe it or not, furniture is not considered necessary to make an apartment habitable. An unfurnished apartment will have no bed, couch, chair, or other furniture. By contracts, a furnished apartment will have chairs, beds, and couches. The exception to this is what are called partially furnished apartments, in which case only a small set of furniture will be included, if at all.
Appliances
Appliances are not considered necessary to make an apartment habitable. This includes window air conditioners and space heaters and includes any kitchen appliance that is not a refrigerator or a stove/oven unit.
This means that an unfurnished apartment will not have a washer, dryer, or dishwasher, while a fully furnished apartment will (if the apartment is equipped for such appliances to begin with). A partially furnished apartment may have all three, or it might only have one of the three.
Electronics
Electronics are not considered necessary to make an apartment habitable. This includes a television, internet, and computer. It also includes electricity as a utility, though almost every apartment in the United States is required to be wired so that electricity can be enabled.
This means that an unfurnished apartment will not have a computer, internet, television, entertainment system, etc. A furnished apartment will have a full-screen TV and be ready for the internet. A partially furnished apartment will have some combination of television, internet, and other electronics. One of our favorite examples in this department is that a fully furnished apartment in Dubai will often include smart home technology.
Conclusion
A furnishing is anything extra that is not required by law to make an apartment habitable. These can include appliances, furniture, and electronics. A fully furnished apartment will provide the maximal range of furnishings in this regard, while a partially furnished apartment will provide the minimal range. An unfurnished apartment will have nothing extra that is not required by law to make an apartment habitable.
