Short-term rentals are more common now than ever before. A short-term lease allows you to live in a rental space for a brief amount of time, such as a few weeks or a few months, and leave when it’s convenient for you. Not sure just how to find short-term rentals? We’ve provided a list of helpful tips to make finding your next short-term stay simple.
How to find short-term rentals
Follow these steps and find the perfect short-term rental.
- Identify your budget
Before you begin your search for a short-term rental you’ll need to set your budget. It’s relatively common for landlords to charge higher rent for short-term rentals due to the financial instability these situations can cause some landlords. A typical one-bedroom unit may cost $1,000 for a long-term lease, but that price could increase by a few hundred dollars per month for a short-term lease. Keep that in mind when searching for short-term rentals and adjusting your search parameters if necessary.
- Set your search parameters
When you search for short-term rentals in an area, be sure to adjust the search parameters for the location you desire. In addition, be sure to filter search results by distance from your target city or neighborhood. That way, you can see if any units offer short-term leases in close proximity to points of interest. If you’re traveling to a new city, you may choose to not bring your car with you, and will want to look for units near walkable areas or public transit options. If you struggle to find a convenient short-term rental, you may have to compromise on location, especially when considering your budget.
- Select your desired amenities
Specific amenities, like in-unit laundry, a fitness center, or a pool can make your short-term rental feel more like home. However, you may find during your search that you have to give up some of those higher end amenities to find a short-term lease that fits your budget and needs. Filter your search by your must-have amenities to see what is available in your desired area at a price within your budget.
- Decide furnished or unfurnished
As you search for a short-term rental, consider your furnishing needs. You might need a furnished apartment if you’re a nomad who stays in a place for a few months and then travels elsewhere, or you don’t currently have any furniture and want to wait for a more permanent place to invest in long-term furniture. If you prefer to bring your own furniture, or want to rent furniture during your short-term lease, consider looking for unfurnished options.
Units with furniture may cost more than unfurnished units, so consider that when setting your budget and search parameters. Most rental search sites let you filter results for furnished units, making your search that much more efficient. - Contact the listing
Once you’ve found a short-term rental that checks your boxes, begin communicating directly with the listing. Ask for additional photos if needed, and verify any deposits and contracts.
Additional resources for finding short-term rentals
Look for sublets
One short-term rental option is to sublet a unit from a current renter. This process involves renting the space from the renter who has signed a long-term lease with a landlord or property management company. When you’re a subletter, the original leaseholder is still on the lease, but you pay them the rent, and they pay the landlord.
This option can be fruitful in many areas. Towns and cities with college campuses may see an influx of short-term subletting opportunities between school semesters and at the start of summer when many students go home before the fall term, or graduate and move out. Large cities like San Diego, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, may be more likely to offer sublets due to the high demand for renters.
Know the local regulations around short-term rentals
Just because short-term rentals are available in the area doesn’t always mean they’re allowed. Houses with homeowners associations (HOAs) may prohibit short-term rentals to ensure the neighborhood and property maintain desired conditions. In New York City, many co-op buildings have restrictions on when a unit can be sublet, for how long, and by whom. For example, some buildings won’t allow residents to sublet their unit for terms less than a year or without board approval of the renter. In addition, whole-apartment rentals with terms fewer than 30 days are illegal.
Renters may try subletting their apartment without getting their landlord’s permission or by going against their landlord’s rules about subletting. When considering a sublet rental, ask the renter for proof of permission to sublet or to speak with the landlord directly. That way, you’re able to confirm that subletting the unit won’t put you, the renter, or the landlord in jeopardy. It’s best to avoid subletting options where the renter isn’t allowed to sublet and is trying to do so anyhow. This is why looking for available units on trusted rental sites is the preferred option when finding a short-term rental.
Utilize your network
A simple way to find other short-term rental options is to ask your friends, family, and coworkers if they know of anyone looking to lease a room or whole unit for the short timeframe you need. In work-related cases, you may coordinate with your manager or your human resources department. For example, you might be relocating for work and need a short-term rental before settling into a permanent place. Or, you might need to relocate for a few weeks or months and need a temporary place to stay while you work. You should also research reviews on the building and the area to ensure that you’re choosing a short-term rental that is up to par.
It’s important to use every resource available to you when looking for a short-term rental, especially if these types of lease agreements aren’t common in the area you want to rent. When you do find a unit that offers short-term leases, be sure to avoid rental scams and view the unit before you sign, and closely review the lease agreement so that you and your new landlord are on the same page.
Related content
