UW furnished apartments near campus
- Ong Ogaslert
- Dec 7, 2025
- 4 min read
Introduction
“Furnished” sounds like a simple win—move in fast, avoid buying furniture, and skip the hassle of hauling a couch up stairs. But students quickly learn that furnished listings vary wildly. One “furnished” unit might include a full setup (bed frame, mattress, desk, couch, dining table), while another includes only a bed and a flimsy chair. Some furnished leases bundle utilities and internet; others don’t. And move-out charges can be higher if the lease has strict rules about cleaning, furniture condition, or “replacement fees.”
This guide explains what furnished really means in the UW market and how to compare UW furnished apartments near campus without getting surprised. You’ll learn how to verify the furniture list, how to evaluate pricing vs value, what utilities and fees are common, and which lease clauses matter most for furnished rentals.
UW furnished apartments: the two big reasons students choose them
Students usually choose furnished apartments for one of two reasons:
Short-term convenience (exchange students, internships, last-minute moves)
Low logistics (no moving truck, less upfront spending)
Both are valid—but furnished only helps if the furniture quality and lease terms match your needs.
1) The furnished reality: what “furnished” can include (and not include)
There’s no universal standard. You must verify.
Common furnished tiers
Tier A: Fully furnished
Bed frame + mattress
Desk + chair
Couch
Dining table + chairs
Basic storage (dresser or shelves)
Tier B: Partially furnished
Bed + desk only, or bed + couch only
Minimal dining setup
Inconsistent storage
Tier C: “Furnished” in name only
A couple of items included
You still need to buy essentials
The furniture list request (non-negotiable)
Ask for a written inventory:
exact items included
condition notes
photos of each piece if possible
If they can’t provide a clear list, assume you’ll need to buy more than you expect.
2) Pricing: when furnished is worth it (and when it’s not)
Furnished units often cost more. That can be worth it—but only if the premium is reasonable relative to what you’d spend otherwise.
Compare the furnished premium intelligently
Ask yourself:
How long will I live here?
Would I buy furniture or rent it?
Do I have a place to store furniture later?
How much time and hassle does furnished save me?
If you’re staying 9–12 months, buying basic used furniture can sometimes be cheaper than paying a large furnished premium. If you’re staying 3–6 months, furnished often wins.
Watch out for “cheap furniture, expensive premium”
A high premium for low-quality furniture is a bad deal. Always inspect quality.
3) Utilities: furnished sometimes bundles them, sometimes doesn’t
Students assume furnished means “all-inclusive.” Not always.
Utility setups you might see
Furnished + utilities included (simple, predictable)
Furnished + utilities capped (overage risk)
Furnished + utilities separate (you pay like normal)
Ask:
Which utilities are included (electric, water, trash, gas)?
Is internet included?
Are utilities capped? What happens if you exceed the cap?
If the unit is small and you’re budgeting tightly, utility predictability can matter as much as rent.
4) Move-out charges: the furnished “gotcha”
Furnished leases often have stricter move-out standards because there’s more property to protect.
Common move-out charge triggers
stained or damaged furniture
scratches on floors from furniture movement
missing items from the inventory
“deep cleaning” requirements not met
mattress protector or upholstery rules
Your move-in protection steps
Take photos/video of every furniture item
Document existing wear (scratches, stains)
Confirm what “normal wear and tear” means in the lease
Keep the inventory list and condition report
Students lose deposits most often when condition isn’t documented at move-in.
5) Lease details: what to read carefully in furnished rentals
Clause A: Furniture responsibility
Look for:
replacement cost rules
repair responsibility (tenant vs landlord)
“professional cleaning required” language
Clause B: Cleaning requirements
Some leases require:
carpet cleaning receipts
professional cleaning services
upholstery cleaning
Ask:
“Is professional cleaning required at move-out?”
“Do I need to provide receipts?”
Clause C: Subletting and moving items
If you plan to sublease later, clarify:
subletting allowed or not
whether furniture must remain in the unit
whether you’re responsible for damage caused by subtenants
Furnished units can be harder to sublet unless everything is clearly documented.
6) Livability checks: furnished doesn’t automatically mean comfortable
Furnished can be convenient but still uncomfortable if:
the bed is low-quality
the desk is too small for studying
storage is lacking
the couch is uncomfortable or damaged
Student-specific checks
Is the desk ergonomic enough for long study sessions?
Does the chair support real work?
Is there enough lighting for night study?
Is storage adequate for clothes and supplies?
A furnished unit that fails the “study setup” test becomes frustrating quickly.
7) The furnished apartment checklist (copy-paste)
Can you send the full furniture inventory list in writing?
What condition are items in? Any existing damage documented?
Are utilities included, separate, or capped?
Is internet included?
What are move-out cleaning requirements? Are receipts required?
What is the deposit policy and common deductions?
Are there replacement fees for furniture damage?
Is subletting allowed and does furniture stay in the unit?
Can I see the unit and furniture via live video walkthrough if I can’t tour?
If you get these answers clearly, furnished becomes predictable instead of risky.
Conclusion
Furnished can be a great choice near UW—but only when you verify what you’re actually getting and what the lease expects. For UW furnished apartments near campus, the smartest move is to request a written furniture inventory, document condition at move-in, confirm whether utilities are included or capped, and understand move-out cleaning and replacement rules. That’s how you get the convenience of furnished living without the surprise costs.
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