What are the advantages of renting furniture during your stay in Indonesia?
Moving to a new country can create many stresses: finding a comfortable home for your family, looking for schools for your children, and familiarizing yourself with your new work environment.
To lessen the difficulties of trying to locate suitable furniture in a new country that is foreign to you, renting furniture has become a popular option for many expatriates in Indonesia. Furniture rental offers a relatively stress-free solution while still allowing you to create the comfortable, home-like environment you want for your family.
For many short-term assignees, furniture rental is also a practical option because they do not need to go through the expense and complexity of shipping their personal furniture. Families that have rented out their home fully furnished in their home country may not have furniture available to ship and may not wish to purchase furniture for a temporary assignment. In these cases, rental furniture can be an excellent solution.
Hotel living becomes tiresome quickly. Most families are anxious to move into their home as soon as possible after arrival. Often their own furniture is still in transit. Furniture rental can provide a temporary solution while waiting for household goods to arrive. Some furniture rental companies offer short-term rental arrangements, including monthly rentals, to help families bridge the gap until their shipment arrives.
The Growing Availability of Furnished Homes
In Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, and other major expatriate destinations, many houses and apartments are now offered fully or partially furnished. As a result, furniture rental may not be necessary for every assignment.
However, furniture rental remains popular for:
- Executives on short-term assignments
- Families waiting for household goods shipments
- Tenants renting unfurnished premium properties
- Companies seeking flexible furnishing solutions without large capital expenditures
- Property owners furnishing rental properties for expatriate tenants
While the availability of furnished homes has increased, furniture rental continues to offer flexibility and convenience for many expatriates.
Disadvantages of Shipping Furniture from Home
While you may be considering shipping your own furniture from your home country, there are several factors to consider.
The first factor is the often lengthy and sometimes complicated shipping and customs clearance process. Foreign employees relocating to Indonesia generally require valid residence documentation and supporting immigration paperwork before importing household goods under relocation provisions. Because customs regulations and documentation requirements change periodically, expatriates should consult their relocation provider or customs broker before shipping household goods to Indonesia.
Household goods imported under relocation privileges must generally arrive within the timeframe specified by current customs regulations. Because these rules are periodically updated, expatriates should verify the applicable requirements before shipping.
Depending on the timing of your shipment, your furniture may remain in storage in your home country awaiting approval to ship, or it may be stored at the Indonesian port awaiting customs clearance. In either case, storage fees can become significant, and your employer may or may not reimburse those expenses.
If delays occur, storage costs, handling fees, and administrative expenses can quickly add up. Additionally, subjecting furniture to weeks of ocean freight and prolonged exposure to Indonesia’s tropical climate may damage valuable pieces.
Furniture and Indonesia’s Tropical Climate
When deciding whether to ship furniture from overseas, expatriates should consider Indonesia’s tropical environment.
High humidity, termites, mold, and constant air-conditioning use can affect certain woods, upholstery fabrics, leather furniture, and electronics. Furniture designed for temperate climates may not always perform well under tropical conditions.
Renting furniture that has already been selected and maintained for local conditions can help avoid some of these challenges.
Finding Furniture in a Strange Land
Indonesia offers many choices of both locally crafted and imported furniture, but quality furniture often does not come cheaply.
If you do not speak Bahasa Indonesia or know your way around the city, locating all the furniture and accessories needed to furnish a home can be time-consuming and frustrating. While online shopping has made furniture purchasing easier than in the past, newcomers may still struggle to evaluate quality, pricing, delivery standards, and after-sales service.
You may also find yourself settling for pieces that fit within your budget but do not meet your expectations for quality, comfort, or durability.
Shipping Purchased Furniture Home
Furniture purchases made during your stay in Indonesia may create similar challenges when it is time to leave.
While treasured antiques or unique handcrafted pieces may be worth shipping home, many expatriates discover that the cost of shipping large furniture items overseas may outweigh their value. This is particularly true for families who already have a fully furnished home waiting for them when they return.
Budgeting Advantages of Furniture Rental
Furniture rental can provide budgeting and cash-flow advantages compared to purchasing furniture outright.
For companies providing relocation benefits to employees, furniture rental may offer accounting and budgeting benefits compared to purchasing furniture as a corporate asset. The specific tax and accounting treatment will vary depending on the company’s circumstances and local regulations, so employers should consult their tax advisors regarding any potential advantages.
Choosing a Furniture Rental Company
There are a number of furniture rental companies in Indonesia offering different options in furniture style, quality, and budget.
Since your home environment is highly personal, consider the following factors when choosing a furniture rental company.
Comprehensive Service
Convenience is one of the primary reasons to rent furniture. A good rental company should offer a complete solution for your home furnishing needs.
Look for companies that can also provide:
- Appliances
- Electronics
- Housewares
- Home accessories
Ask about delivery, installation, maintenance, and pickup services. You do not want delays when your own shipment arrives or when preparing for repatriation.
Value
Quality furniture should be comfortable, attractive, and durable.
Whenever possible, visit a showroom to evaluate furniture quality before committing to a rental agreement. If you dislike a particular fabric or finish, ask whether customization options are available. Some companies may offer alternative upholstery or replacement options for long-term rentals.
Variety
A good rental company should offer multiple furniture styles to suit different tastes, lifestyles, and property types.
Service
One of the best indicators of a quality furniture rental company is its maintenance and service program.
Ask about:
- Repair services
- Replacement policies
- Maintenance support
- Damage protection options
Be sure you understand what constitutes normal wear and tear versus chargeable damage.
Return and Exchange Policies
To ensure furniture fits properly in your new home, request a site visit or provide floor plans and room measurements.
Ask about exchange policies in case furniture does not fit the space or does not suit your needs after installation.
Additional Services
Some furniture rental companies may offer:
- Lease-to-own options
- Interior design assistance
- Furniture upgrades
- Complimentary maintenance services
Professional rental companies understand that customer satisfaction is essential and will often go the extra mile to ensure clients are happy with their selections.
Advantages for Employing Companies
Many companies find furniture rental attractive because it allows flexibility when relocating employees.
Furniture rental can eliminate large upfront purchases, simplify employee transfers, and make it easier to furnish assignments that may only last a year or two.
The ability to upgrade, exchange, or remove furniture as assignment needs change can also be a significant advantage.
Furniture Rental for Property Owners
Furniture rental is no longer used exclusively by expatriates.
Some landlords and apartment owners now rent furniture packages to furnish properties intended for expatriate tenants. This approach can allow owners to:
- Furnish properties quickly
- Upgrade furnishings more easily
- Replace damaged items without major capital expenditure
- Adapt furniture styles to changing market expectations
For owners managing multiple properties, rental furniture can provide additional flexibility.
Used Furniture
If you are trying to furnish your home on a budget, some furniture rental companies also sell previously rented furniture.
These items are often well-maintained and may include:
- Sofas
- Dining sets
- Bookshelves
- Living room furniture
- Bedroom furniture
- Mattresses
Many pieces are only a few years old and can represent excellent value compared to purchasing new furniture.
Before purchasing used furniture, inspect it carefully and inquire about any refurbishment or reupholstery options that may be available.
For a list of furniture rental companies operating in Indonesia, consult your relocation company, local expatriate community groups, or online business directories.
