also called unfurnished flat · empty rental
A place rented with little or no furniture; in some countries even kitchens or light fixtures may be missing.
An unfurnished rental comes with little or nothing inside, and in some countries that goes further than you would guess, missing even kitchen units or light fittings. It is the opposite of a furnished rental you can move straight into; here you arrive to bare rooms. It is normal and cheaper for locals settling long term, but a trap if you only plan a few months and have to buy everything.
You take an unfurnished flat in the Netherlands to save money for a half-year stay. On moving day you open the door to a space with no kitchen appliances and bare wires where the lights should be, and the cost of fitting it out for a few months wipes out any saving.
Locally normal and cheaper long-term, but a trap if you only plan a few months and must equip the home.
The difference is the whole point, so here is each one in a line.
These grade what comes with the place.
A furnished rental includes furniture and often basics, semi-furnished has some but not a full set, with exactly what varies by country, and an unfurnished rental may have almost nothing, sometimes missing even kitchens or light fixtures.
A serviced apartment goes further the other way, adding hotel-like services such as cleaning and flexible booking.
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