So you’re embarking on a major home renovation that leaves your home temporarily unlivable. You need temporary housing, but you want to avoid the exorbitant expense of a hotel, as you may be displaced for more than a month. Additionally, doing a basic month-to-month rental on an apartment can be a challenge because most of these are unfurnished. Fortunately, there are other options that won’t necessarily break the bank. Here are 3 helpful tips for locating a short-term rental while your home is being renovated.
1. Check with friends
Believe it or not, sometimes word-of-mouth is your best bet for finding short-term housing. Spread the word to friends, family and coworkers letting them know you’re on the hunt for temporary shelter while your house undergoes renovation, and ask if they have any leads. You might be surprised by how many people have an empty guest house or vacation rental, or know someone who has one, who might give you a great deal. The advantage, of course, is that you might get in for free or cheap, and if it’s with someone you already know and trust, all the better. The downside is that you are limited in your options to maybe one or two places, and if you don’t know the referral that well, you could be taking a risk.
2. Check with a trusted subletting site
Many people these days are subletting their vacation homes and vacant apartments through websites like Airbnb and VRBO for extra cash. These listings often have a nightly, weekly and/or monthly rate attached. You can filter your search by location, number of bedrooms, amenities, etc., you can view photos of the apartment, and you can read reviews by others. The upside is that most of the time you can get a decent furnished place fairly quickly, and most are equipped with kitchens so you can avoid the hotel lifestyle. The downside is that these rentals are often as much as a hotel, and occasionally you run across a scammer. (NOTE: We do NOT recommend finding a sublet on Craigslist, as these listings are rarely vetted and are a breeding ground for scam artists.)
3. Consider a corporate housing agency
One fairly reliable alternative to finding short-term rentals is to consult a corporate housing company. These agencies focus on providing fully-furnished temporary housing for people who need it — and while many of their clients are corporate travelers on extended stays or in the process of relocating for work, these units are often ideal for locals who just need a place to live for a couple of months. You can specify the amount of space and type of amenities you need, and the agency will get you into an apartment that fits the bill, for a fraction of what it costs to stay at an extended stay hotel.
If you require a short-term rental in Atlanta, Georgia or Jacksonville, Florida, TP Corporate Lodging offers a great selection of fully furnished apartments in prime locations in both of these cities. Give us a call at 800.428.9997 to see what we have available.