Their research has revealed that there is an 8% premium on furnished flats and nearly 3% on furnished houses when compared to unfurnished properties.
The reason for them making more money is because they appeal to younger, mobile tenants.
Furnished flats attract younger tenants
Now the firm is saying that landlords could boost their profits by simply appreciating what their potential tenants need whether it's unfurnished or furnished properties and in which key areas they want them in.
This means that landlords looking to exploit this opportunity will need to target cities and towns with younger populations as they will have very little or no furniture and will, as a consequence, be willing to pay a premium for a furnished property.
In contrast, says Countrywide, there are more families in rural areas who have accumulated most of their own furniture and are looking for unfurnished property.
Landlords can charge a third more in rent
To underline its findings, landlords who offer a fully furnished property can expect to achieve a third more in rent than on an unfurnished property.
Among the areas highlighted as having high numbers of tenants willing to pay a rent premium are Salford in Manchester which has had an influx of BBC employees as well as Eastbourne where 'ready to move in' properties are in high demand.
Rents continue rise across UK
Countrywide also reveal that rents in the UK in July rose by 3.7% when compared with the same period last year with most of the growth coming from outer London.
They say that the 'gentle growth' in rents across the UK is continuing and now stand at £898 per month.
The highest rents are being charged in central London, the average is now £2,500 per month, and the lowest is in Scotland at £643 per month.
All types of property have seen an increase in rent being charged except for three bedroom homes where rents have fallen by just over 7% year on year. One bed properties recorded the biggest increase with 4.2%.
Buy to let mortgage comparison tool unveiled
Meanwhile, a new buy to let mortgage comparison tool which makes it easier for BTL mortgage advisers to find better deals has been unveiled by brokers Commercial Trust.
The tool will allow users to easily filter through the increasing number of mortgage deals being offered on buy to let properties using criteria such as property value, repayment type and the amount required.
Stuart Cunningham, a director of the firm, said: “Lenders recognise that buy to let demand is surging and are updating their product ranges constantly and every week new mortgages and deals are being announced.”
The new tool will and able users to compare more than 500 BTL mortgages.
