Want to increase your rent WITHOUT doing a whole property makeover?
Dedicated office setups in furnished rentals are quickly becoming one of the highest-paying rental niches in the industry. Remote work isn't going anywhere. If your property allows tenants to work -- and work comfortably -- they're going to pay more money to live there.
Let's talk about why…
Demand for furnished rentals that are optimized for working from home is through the roof. Year-over-year bookings for stays of 28+ days jumped 136% since 2019 alone. And the bulk of that demand comes from remote workers who NEED a proper home office setup.
Contents
Why Remote Workers Will Pay More Money For Furnished Rentals
Your Furnished Rental's Office Chair For Back Support Problem
What Type Of Office Setup Will Attract Remote Workers?
How To Rent Your Property For MORE Money
Why Remote Workers Will Pay More Money For Furnished Rentals
Working from home has shifted what tenants care about in a rental property.
Sure location matters. And so does the number of bedrooms. But are they going to be able to comfortably work from their rental? If yes, then tenants will gladly pay more money to live there.
Why?
Remote workers don't want to waste time setting up shop when they travel. They already spend 40+ hours a week working. When they arrive at their rental, they literally just want to open up their laptop and start working.
Furnished rentals with pre-built office setups allow tenants to do just that.
And tenants will gladly pay you a premium for that convenience.
Remote workers typically stay 3-6 months in one rental property. Instead of buying furniture, they would much rather rent a place that looks like they've lived there for years.
Properties without office setups will struggle to keep up with rental prices. Because furniture costs extra money. Moving is stressful. Dealing with back pain from sitting at a low-quality desk all day is even worse.
And remote workers aren't going to stick around for that.
Which is why you should spend a little extra on office furniture that will set your rental apart.
Your Furnished Rental's Office Chair For Back Support Problem
Ok this might sound random… but it's worth paying attention to.
If your office chair doesn't provide good back support… tenants aren't going to stay very long.
Studies show that 61% of remote workers say their musculoskeletal problems have gotten worse since working from home. Those problems include back pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain... you name it.
People spend A LOT of time sitting in their chairs. If it's not comfortable, they'll notice… and it will break your furniture faster too.
Here's the real problem with stiff desks and chairs:
Let's say one of your tenants gets severe back pain from sitting at your rental's desk for eight hours a day. Every day. Do you think they're going to renew their lease?
Of course not!
Instead, they'll move to a rental with proper desk and chair support. And your property will lose out on rental income and a quality tenant.
Here's how you can avoid that problem:
Buy a quality ergonomic office chair that has actual lumbar support and can move up and down. This isn't optional. If you want remote workers to rent your property, you NEED a quality office chair that doesn't kill their back.
Bad office chairs are how you lose tenants. Don't fall into that trap.
What Type Of Office Setup Will Attract Remote Workers?
Alright so we know office chairs with back support are important. But what else should you include?
You don't need to go overboard and spend a ton of money. But there are a few essentials that every single work-ready rental should have.
Your office setup should include:
An actual desk -- Not one of those cute little writing desks. Tenants need space to work. Give them a spacious desk that can fit their work computer, notes, and of course... THEIR ENTIRE MOUSEPAD.
Ergonomic office chair -- This was mentioned earlier but it's worth saying again. Your desk doesn't matter if your tenants are going to be sitting in pain all day long.
Good lighting -- Preferably natural lighting. If that's not possible, make sure you have a good desk lamp for those late-night Zoom calls.
High-speed internet -- Probably the most important thing of all. Tenants NEED reliable, high-speed internet to work from home. Take away their WiFi and watch them pack up and leave.
Power points -- Nothing worse than having to sit far away from your desk just to plug in your laptop. Make sure you have USB power points and outlets close to the workstation.
Boom. That's literally it.
As long as you have those things, you're going to make money hand over fist renting to remote workers.
Once you have the furniture taken care of, it's time to market your rental like your office is the main selling point.
How To Rent Your Property For MORE Money
Alright, you've got your quality office furniture in place. It's time to let the tenants know.
Highlight the fact that your rental has a professional office setup. You'd be surprised how many landlords don't mention this at all.
Most landlords spend hours cleaning their property, making sure the bedsheets are perfectly folded, and styling the furniture just right.
But guess what matters just as much as taking pictures of your furniture?
Sitting at a desk with no office chair support.
Yeah. Nobody wants that.
Here's how you should market your rental:
Take good photos of your office setup and include them in your listing. Bonus points if the unit has lots of natural lighting.
Some websites even allow renters to apply directly to see your property. You should include specifics on:
The chair you have (bonus points if it's ergonomic)
Speed test results of your internet connection
Extras! If you have a monitor they can plug their laptop into, say that. If you have a standing desk option, say that too.
There's your competitive advantage.
Renters have countless options when they search for a rental online. Properties that clearly advertise a professional office setup will rise to the top.
The best part?
You can charge more money for rentals with office setups.
Anywhere between 15-25% MORE on rent alone.
Remote workers have money to spend, and they know a good desk when they see one.
Remote workers are still going to travel.
Whether they're on a two-month work contract in a new city or on a virtual workplace vacation, people need to work from their rentals.
And if your property makes that possible… you'll cash in.
Wrapping Things Up
Don't spend thousands of dollars renovating your property.
Go buy a quality office desk and chair. Then rent to the countless remote workers searching for a place they can comfortably work.
Here's what you should do:
Buy a quality ergonomic chair and desk.
Make sure you have high-speed internet.
Take photos of your office setup and include them in every listing.
Charge more money because your rental can do something most rentals can't.
It's that simple.
Remote workers WILL pay more for furnished rentals with proper office setups. And the landlords that realize this will rake in the cash.
