All of my stuff is rented unfurnished anyway.

Best way. Less stuff to get wrecked.

Unless you're renting apartments in a city centre of course - they all tend to be furnished. I mean if you're only staying for six months or so, would YOU want to lug all your stuff up ten flights of stairs...?

Whenever I've looked at the difference in income it's never seemed worth furnishing the properties I have.

Totally agree. I find that most people want unfurnished properties anyway, and the lack of people wanting to rent furnished property effectively negates any gain in value you would get by including furniture. Certainly round here, anyway.

Eg With furnished you can claim a 10% (of net rent) wear & tear allowance - which usually works out better than the alternative.