What is Temporary Housing?

Are you building or renovating your current home or trying to meet ends between leases? Or are you moving to a new city? Choosing an accommodation that best suits you can be challenging at times. When you aren’t sure of your permanent residence, something that could help you out for a while is temporary housing.

If you haven’t come across these terms before, you might be wondering what is temporary housing. Keep reading the blog to not just get an answer to that question, but also figure out if temporary housing is something that would work for you or not. Along with some advantages, there are also some things that you should know about temporary housing, before you make a jump for it.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

What Do You Mean By Temporary Housing?

You don’t need to confuse yourself too much because temporary housing sounds exactly as it is. It’s the housing or accommodation you use for a short period of time. Temporary housing is also sometimes referred to as corporate housing, which is a term used in the relocation industry. Usually, it refers to a furnished condo, apartment, or home that you can rent to someone for a short period of time.

In most cases, temporary housing is the ideal solution for those looking for an in-between lodging option. While it’s often used by business professionals, traveling nurses, government and military personnel, and people who are moving, temporary housing has also recently gained popularity for long-term vacation rentals.

See also: Top-Rated Moving Companies

Why Do People Need It?

There are multiple reasons why people look out for temporary housing options. Some common situations could include:

• You’re planning to move from renting property to purchasing property.
• You sold your home or your lease is over and you’re still house-hunting.
• Your family received military PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders.
• You’re relocating for work and need to move right away.
• You’ve recently moved to a new city and would like to get to know the area better before finding a home.
• You’re renovating your home or have some major repairs going on and you need a place to stay until it’s ready.

Know that these are just some of the common reasons for people to look for temporary housing. You could opt for one in some other scenarios as well.

Types Of Temporary Housing

Some of the most common types of temporary housing include:

Corporate Housing

As mentioned earlier, the term corporate housing is also interchangeably used with temporary housing in the business world. It’s a popular option among business professionals who have to frequently travel for work. Most corporate homes are fully furnished, which makes it easier for you to move in without much hassle. Usually, amenities such as cable, high-speed Internet, housekeeping service, kitchen utensils, bedding, and even utilities are included in the rent for corporate housing.

Extended Stay Hotels

One of the most common forms of temporary housing is an extended stay hotel that is easily found in larger cities. Whether it’s business travel, relocation, or a family vacation, you can also opt for long-term stays at an extended stay hotel. It is sometimes also referred to as an apartment hotel and is also a flexible option for short-term living requirements. One main advantage of extended stay hotels is that you can easily find one that best suits your location, needs, and budget.

Short-Term Lease Or Rental Homes And Apartments

If you’ll be needing temporary housing for at least a month or more, looking into short-term lease or an apartment rental might surely be worth it. Along with being convenient, rental homes are also a more affordable alternative to long-term hotel stays. Even if you’re in the transition phase of shifting homes, these rental apartments can provide the accommodation you need with flexibility and comfort. This temporary housing option is also likely to give you the most homely feeling if that’s also something that you’re looking for.

Traditional Hotels

If you need housing only for a few days, traditional hotels can also be a temporary housing solution. You do get the perks of daily housekeeping, on-site amenities like pools and restaurants, but what you also need to be mindful of is that the prices or your bill could add up fast. If you’re up for a longer stay, you might have better budget-friendly options than staying at a hotel.

Airbnb

This isn’t new to anyone today; the online community marketplace of Airbnb is one of the most popular places to find a temporary house on rent. You can directly connect with people who wish to rent their homes and clarify any doubts you have about the pricing or amenities included. Since there isn’t any long-term commitment involved, you also get the desired flexibility when renting from Airbnb.

CALCULATE MY MOVE

Advantages Of Temporary Housing

• Temporary housing offers flexibility and convenience when you need it the most. If you choose to rent then your temporary housing could also be a cost-effective solution. Extended stay hotels can be comparatively expensive if you happen to stay for a longer period, but opting for a short-term lease or rental can surely be beneficial.
• For business professionals, temporary housing is a good option when testing new hires. It could be tough to know how interns and professionals will perform before they are thrust into the role. Instead of paying for relocation or providing a full housing allowance for such professionals, you can use short-term temporary housing solutions till you choose to make them a permanent hire.
• Not just for business professionals, but temporary housing can also be used to provide relief to dispatched families. In case of natural disasters or sudden loss of loved ones, or a loss of job, temporary housing options can help families get shelter till their home is restored or in the transition to a new, permanent residence.
• In most cases, temporary housing offers amenities and superior comfort with essentials like cookware, glassware, utensils, and linen included for your stay. All you will need to take with you is clothing and any personal belongings that you would like to have on hand.

Things To Keep In Mind

When looking for a temporary housing accommodation, you need to be clear of what your specific needs are. You also need to decide whether such accommodation would be the best choice for you or not. Some aspects that you can consider to make a better choice for you are:

• As mentioned before, temporary housing is available in a wide range of sizes from small and compact condos to huge houses with backyards. Whether you’re moving alone or with family, you need to understand how much space you’ll need and then choose accommodation accordingly.
• You’re likely to stay at a temporary housing only for a little while, so be sure of the exact length of your stay. This is also important before you finalize on your accommodation because the duration of your stay could also have an impact on your budget.
• It’s important to determine an exact budget for your temporary living arrangement and stick to it. Just looking at the monthly rent and finalizing your choice also isn’t wise. That’s because the monthly rent hardly ever covers the entire cost. It’s best to talk to your landlord or leasing manager and learn about all the additional expenses when choosing your temporary accommodation.
• Ideally, you should be flexible and open-minded when looking at options for your temporary housing. Since you’d only be staying there for a short while, you should be flexible enough to crack the best deal.

Conclusion

The concept of temporary housing is not new and has been present in some form or the other over the past many years. There isn’t just one but multiple reasons why people opt for temporary housing. Now that you have a better idea of the types of accommodations available, you can make a better choice for your temporary living arrangement. Whether you’re renovating your entire house and need temporary accommodation or are constantly on a move for business trips, there are a number of temporary housing options for you to choose from. You’re sure to find something that best suits you and your needs.

Related: How to Find Temporary Housing when Moving

FAQs

What Is A Temporary Living Arrangement?

As the term suggests, a temporary living arrangement is where you arrange for accommodation that you can use for a while or on a temporary basis. This could include staying in home or apartment rentals, hotels, vacations homes, corporate housing, or staying with a family friend or relative. Under some circumstances, temporary living arrangements could also be a homeless shelter, emergency housing, or a night shelter.

How Long Can You Stay In Temporary Housing?

As of now, there is no set time for your stay in temporary housing. Depending on the type of temporary housing that you’ve chosen, you can be staying for a few months to even a few years there. However, the rules could be different if you’re staying at a government-funded accommodation.

Can I Have Visitors In Temporary Accommodation?

Whether you can have visitors in temporary accommodation or not could depend from place to place. For instance, if you’re staying at a hotel, you might not be allowed to have guests stay overnight in your room. In the case of a rented apartment, you may or may not be allowed to have visitors, depending on your landlord.

Do You Pay Council Tax In Temporary Accommodation?

In some cases, you might have to pay council tax for your temporary accommodation. You might also have to pay for your utility bills or pay service charges instead. It’s best to clarify all doubts from the manager of your temporary accommodation.

CALCULATE MY MOVE