Should I Rent My Investment Property Furnished?

IN THIS BLOG:

• Three considerations for renting a furnished property.
• Is a furnished property connected to higher income?
• If tenants are injured to do faulty furniture, who is responsible?
• What are the implications for short term rentals?

1. More furnishings mean more liability. If your renter gets hurt due to your personal furniture (now in your rental) being faulty, you could be liable. For example, if a tenant’s child is playing on your table and falls, you may suddenly find yourself facing a liability claim. If the child fell on a table owned by the tenant, you wouldn’t be at risk of liability.
   
   
2. More furnishings mean more maintenance. As an investor, you will be responsible for maintaining the property. This includes both the unit and the furniture you’ve provided. Colorado law does not clearly define what is considered personal property, so be careful when considering what furniture to include in your rental.
   
   
3. More furnishings don’t necessarily mean more income. Many investors think they can generate more revenue by renting out their furnished unit as a short-term rental like Airbnb. While this can be lucrative, it’s imperative that the investor check their community bylaws and HOA to ensure their property allows short-term rentals. Colorado regulation has started to buckle down on short-term rentals in multifamily communities like condos, townhomes, and even single-family communities due to resident backlash. Neighbors often don’t enjoy having short-term renters next door. As a result, many communities have started outlawing leases less than 30 or 60 days. This has been done with rental real estate in some Broomfield and Erie areas.
   

QUESTION: If a tenant is injured in my unfurnished unit due to faulty furniture, am I liable?

ANSWER: No. Only if you provide the furniture do you risk being liable for tenant injury in this case.

Unsure of what to do next? Check out our Calculators!