Pune: Rented furniture peps up living spaces of new-age city residents

The trend of hiring furniture on rent seems to be catching up among Puneites, especially the youngsters, who stay on rent or have a transferable job. This is why firms are tapping the growing trend and are looking at the city as an emerging market in the furniture rental industry.
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RentoMojo, which began catering to Puneites in October 2015, has been recording a steady 30 per cent month-on-month growth. Geetansh Bamania, CEO and Founder of RentoMojo, attributes it to the fact that population of those aged between 22 and 35 years is higher in Pune. “The city sees people, especially students and young IT professionals, migrating to Pune from different cities. Besides, the difference in the amount one spends on an unfurnished and furnished flat is huge. And thus, renting comes as an economical option. In Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500, one can not only take furniture for the entire house but also appliances like TV, fridge and washing machine,” said Bamania, adding, the most rented items in the city are beds, mattresses, wardrobe, bedside table, wardrobe, bean bags, study table and dressing table.

While most customers rent minimum for a year or more, there are also customers who prefer changing it every six to eight months. Anantpal Singh Saluja (28), who stays in a rented apartment in the city, is a wedding photographer and travels a lot. Pointing out another benefit of rented furniture, he says, “Other than being a convenient and economical option, this concept also offers me a choice to change my furniture anytime I want.”

Furlenco, an online furniture rental company, which started operating in Pune in April this year, rents out an array of award-winning designer furniture that is high on quality and comes with matching furnishing and decor for a minimum subscription fee of Rs 999.

Ajith Karimpana, CEO and Founder of Furlenco, a firm that designs and curates its own furniture, says, “What attracts customers to our concept of renting furniture is that it’s hassle free. We don’t want our customers to be tied down by contracts of any kind. We have affordable premium furniture, which makes setting up a home really easy. What works for us is a subscription model, which allows customers to avail facilities such as free relocation of furniture, damage waiver of up to Rs 10,000, cleaning and interior services.”

Siddhant Jajodia, a 24-year-old bachelor, says that in the last seven years, he has shifted five cities for his education. Presently, he is in Pune for his job. “Buying luxury furniture is a costly affair. Besides, when one shifts from one place to another, there’s a possibility of damage to the goods. Hence, I feel renting makes it convenient. The kind of luxury furniture I have taken on rent is not something that I can afford with my current salary,” he says.