How to Find Temporary Housing Between Moves

Picture this: Your new lease ends on the same day your old one ends or, your new home is ready for occupation the same day the people who bought your home move in.

Unfortunately, things often just don’t work out that way. Instead, many people find themselves needing somewhere to stay for a few days, weeks, or even months when they buy or sell their home or vacate their rental property.

Luckily, there are five options you can explore when searching for the perfect home-away-from-home while you wait for all the loose ends to get tied up.

With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to find out what your options are and determine how you can make the best decision for your particular situation.

Research Your Options

Not everyone has a friend or family member who is able and willing to accommodate them while they are between moves let alone the whole family and all the pets. Your best bet is to find a vacation or rental company to help you find what you need.

Begin your online search with keywords for what you’re looking for and your area. For example, if you live in Toronto, you could try “monthly short term rentals Toronto” and then see what comes up. Generally, you will have five options: short-term rentals; corporate housing; sublets; vacation rentals; and extended-stay hotels. Here’s a brief overview of each:

Short-Term Rentals

Short-term rentals are usually houses or apartments that can be rented with variable terms. Generally, this option is better for longer periods because the rent becomes more expensive if you only want to stay for a few days.

Corporate Housing

Corporate housing is similar to short-term rentals, but it is geared more toward business professionals looking for a place to stay while they relocate to another state for work.

Sublets

Subletting entails taking over someone’s existing lease for a set amount of time with the approval of the landlord. If there is a large rental market in the area you’re looking in, you may be able to find a sublet that coincides with your timeline.

Vacation Rentals

Vacation rentals are properties or rooms that are let out for short or long periods. Usually, you can find vacation rentals on platforms like Owner Direct, Airbnb, and HomeAway — especially in off-season months.

Extended-Stay Hotels

If you need accommodation for more than a few days, chances are you don’t want to stay in an expensive hotel. However, extended-stay hotels are a good option because they are geared toward guests who need to stay for longer than the average hotel guest. What you will pay depends on the room you choose, the hotel chain’s rates, and the length of your stay.

Consider How Long You’ll Be Staying

The biggest deciding factor of what kind of temporary accommodation you choose should be how long you plan to stay — some options will be more suited to a one-week stay, while others will be better for a six-month stay.

You will also find that your budget will affect your decision. For instance, options you were considering may no longer be viable due to financial constraints because of how long you will need to stay.

If you are uncertain about how long you will need temporary housing, it’s important to choose an option that is flexible to accommodate you should you need to add a month to your stay.

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