Hello,
I'm considering renting an apartment in France just a stonethrow away from Geneva and would appreciate your thoughts on the following situation. The owner advertised an apartment as an unfurnished apartment in France, and I expressed interest. However, now she says if I want to have the apartment I must take it under a furnished flat contract as she's planning to put a few items in the apartment. I honestly don't need furniture, and the apartment is clearly not furnished (the stuff she's putting in the apartment are some token junk stuff which I really don't want and don't need - she tells me I can store it in the storage room in the cellar if I don't want it). When I told her I wanted to rent the apartment under a standard unfurnished flat contract, she told me that the apartment is registered with the French government as a furnished apartment, and so she can only rent it out as a furnished apartment under a furnished apartment contract. Any thoughts on this? What should I do?
Hello,
I'm considering renting an apartment in France just a stonethrow away from Geneva and would appreciate your thoughts on the following situation. The owner advertised an apartment as an unfurnished apartment in France, and I expressed interest. However, now she says if I want to have the apartment I must take it under a furnished flat contract as she's planning to put a few items in the apartment. I honestly don't need furniture, and the apartment is clearly not furnished (the stuff she's putting in the apartment are some token junk stuff which I really don't want and don't need - she tells me I can store it in the storage room in the cellar if I don't want it). When I told her I wanted to rent the apartment under a standard unfurnished flat contract, she told me that the apartment is registered with the French government as a furnished apartment, and so she can only rent it out as a furnished apartment under a furnished apartment contract. Any thoughts on this? What should I do?
Marie SFeb 26, 2013 @ 16:22
I can't tell you how it works legally but since you don't already have a contract I doubt you can win this one.
If you can't afford (or don't want to pay) the furnished rate there's not much you can do I think. You can always try to negotiate, and see if you can agree on a rent that works for both parties. In that case I'd probably ask to see the furniture before you sign, since it can make or break the place.
I can't tell you how it works legally but since you don't already have a contract I doubt you can win this one.
If you can't afford (or don't want to pay) the furnished rate there's not much you can do I think. You can always try to negotiate, and see if you can agree on a rent that works for both parties. In that case I'd probably ask to see the furniture before you sign, since it can make or break the place.
Edward B, Feb 26, 2013 @ 16:40
You wrote the flat was advertised as "unfurnished", so why couldn't you object to the landlady she has been misleading readers of her text. In France it is called "publicité mensongère" to say the extreme. The owner might want to feel more secure with a standard furnished flat contract because of some particular clauses to her (obvious) advantage...
No need to argue but you may enquire to check the last rental contract and walk-through report signed with the previous tenant in which you will find out whether things are right or wrong.
So important to raise questions and ask for details before you sign a contract. Once you approve you cannot modify or withdraw.
You wrote the flat was advertised as "unfurnished", so why couldn't you object to the landlady she has been misleading readers of her text. In France it is called "publicité mensongère" to say the extreme. The owner might want to feel more secure with a standard furnished flat contract because of some particular clauses to her (obvious) advantage...
No need to argue but you may enquire to check the last rental contract and walk-through report signed with the previous tenant in which you will find out whether things are right or wrong.
So important to raise questions and ask for details before you sign a contract. Once you approve you cannot modify or withdraw.
Milord, Feb 27, 2013 @ 08:38
if you take the appartment, just ensure you confirm inventory as she deleivers them. Further take photos of the place, with date stamp, because if she claims you left and stole the furniture, then you can loose all your deposit and maybe other?
if you take the appartment, just ensure you confirm inventory as she deleivers them. Further take photos of the place, with date stamp, because if she claims you left and stole the furniture, then you can loose all your deposit and maybe other?
Dave G, Feb 27, 2013 @ 09:08
Thanks all for the suggestions. Milford, I did raise that with the owner that her advertisement is for an unfurnished apartment, and that she is misleading. She responded that she's the owner, so she decides whether to rent it as a furnished or unfurnished. Thanks in any case for the suggestion.
Thanks all for the suggestions. Milford, I did raise that with the owner that her advertisement is for an unfurnished apartment, and that she is misleading. She responded that she's the owner, so she decides whether to rent it as a furnished or unfurnished. Thanks in any case for the suggestion.
Marie S, Feb 27, 2013 @ 22:46
At least you received confirmation. You may decide now in light of "bonus"furniture which need to be stored inside her/your cellar, with care, under safe temp/non-humid conditions. If you want to rent this particular flat you will sign a standard furnished flat contract.
At least you received confirmation. You may decide now in light of "bonus"furniture which need to be stored inside her/your cellar, with care, under safe temp/non-humid conditions. If you want to rent this particular flat you will sign a standard furnished flat contract.
Milord, Feb 28, 2013 @ 09:04
I don't know for France, but in Switzerland, if the owner is renting his flat/house as furnished, it also means that in case he wants to get it back earlier than the end of the contract "for himself" to move-in, it would be much easier than for an unfurnished flat ..
I don't know for France, but in Switzerland, if the owner is renting his flat/house as furnished, it also means that in case he wants to get it back earlier than the end of the contract "for himself" to move-in, it would be much easier than for an unfurnished flat ..
missdaisy, Feb 28, 2013 @ 10:22
The same is true for France. It sounds like she had changed her mind. I current l'y reside in France in an unfurnished flat and the lease is for 3 years. I can terminate the lease by giving 3 months notice but the landlord cannot. He must wait at the end if the lease and must give me 6 months notice of his intention to take the apartment. In France, renting an unfurnished flat benefits the tenants.
The same is true for France. It sounds like she had changed her mind. I current l'y reside in France in an unfurnished flat and the lease is for 3 years. I can terminate the lease by giving 3 months notice but the landlord cannot. He must wait at the end if the lease and must give me 6 months notice of his intention to take the apartment. In France, renting an unfurnished flat benefits the tenants.
Rose R, Mar 24, 2013 @ 17:15
