Temporary Housing When Moving

Temporary Housing When Moving

When moving, having to spend time in temporary housing, also known as short-term housing is very common. You might still be looking for a place to live, or your new home isn’t ready. Either way, whether it’s a few days, weeks or months, there are many options when it comes to finding a suitable short-term home away from home.

Your Options

A good place to begin your search for "short term rentals" or "corporate housing" is by using the internet. A variety of results and different property types will come up.

Vacation rentals – Online vacation companies offer you the ability to see upfront the availability, cost and booking options. If you are traveling with children or pets, a lot of vacation rental properties are child and pet friendly. There is also the option of booking short-term housing for an international move.

• Airbnb is currently the biggest online vacation rental site. It can also be used for longer stays, making it a good option for short-term rentals. If your move will take place during the summer or peak season, booking an extended amount of time might be more difficult. In some cases, such as off peak seasons, prices can be negotiated. For longer stays, it’s a possibility that weekly/monthly rates can lower.
• Homeaway connects property owners with people looking to rent temporary housing, whether it’s for a vacation, or for a longer time frame.
• Vacation Rental by Owner (VRBO) like Homeaway, connects you directly with the owner of the property.
• Owner Direct lets you input the destination and dates of your stay. It does not have an extensive list of destinations like Airbnb, Homeaway or Vacation Rental by Owner.

Short-term rentals – If you want to secure a lease agreement, there is an option for short-term rentals. In these situations, it is not uncommon for the monthly rent to be higher. Rental companies such as Airbnb, Homeaway, VRBO and Owner Direct can all be used for short-term housing.

Corporate housing – Very similar to vacation and short term rentals, except that once you have entered your desired destination and dates into their website, you need to contact the companies directly to obtain information on prices and availability.

Sublets – When subletting, you take over the lease from the current tenant for a period of time. Landlord approval might be required.

What To Do With Your Belongings

Most short-term rentals will be furnished. If there are some basic furniture items that you’ll need, such as a crib or other pieces, bring these into the temporary rental. Consider bringing 1 set of linens and towels for each person, and some kitchen favorites if you will be using the kitchen regularly. Otherwise, storing the bulk of your items is advised. You can donate or give to friends, any items that will not be making the move to the new home.

If you have hired a moving company to transport your belongings, you might also be able to store your items with them while living in short term accommodation.

Bring only the essentials. Think in terms of an extended vacation. Look at our detailed list of First Day Essentials, which can help you see what might be needed.

Pets

If your pets will also be staying in temporary housing with you, make sure when you begin your search that it is clear whether pets are allowed in any of the properties you are considering. Most rentals will require a pet fee. It might be a one time deposit, or an additional monthly fee.

Associated Costs

When Creating a Moving Budget, you will want to include all the costs that will be associated with living in a short-term rental. In addition to the rent, which is usually higher for short-term rentals, you may also be required to pay for utilities, parking and any repairs. Make sure to find out what you will be responsible for financially when renting your short-term housing.

With so many choices available for short-term housing, you might find something you could never have imagined. Being flexible with your search might bring some delightful surprises.