Top 4 Considerations When Seeking A Short-Term Apartment Rental
There are many reasons as to why you may be in need of a short-term apartment rental. Perhaps you'll only be in town for a short period of time on a work assignment, or maybe you're a college student looking for a place to stay over the summer before you move back into your dorm. Either way, many landlords and property managers these days offer short-term leases that can range anywhere from month-to-month to a few months at a time for your convenience.
Before you sign a lease for a short-term apartment rental, however, there are some considerations worth keeping in mind.
Is the Unit Furnished?
Start by finding out whether the unit is furnished, unfurnished, or if you have a choice between the two. If you're traveling short-term for a work-related assignment, bringing all your furniture with you from home can be a serious (and expensive) hassle. In these cases, paying a little extra each month for a furnished apartment may be your best option.
What Type of Premium Will You Pay?
While many landlords are willing to offer short-term apartment rentals these days, they often come at a premium. That's because it can be difficult for landlords to fill vacancies when they arise after a short-term lease has expired. Therefore, you should expect to pay a little more per month when you take out a shorter lease. This is especially true for month-to-month leases, since your landlord realistically will have no way of knowing when you will vacate the unit and will have very little notice when you do.
Is Sub-Letting Permitted?
What will happen if, for any reason, you can no longer keep your lease on the unit? Will your landlord allow you to find a sub-letter to take over your lease at no charge to you, or will you be required to pay for the remainder of your lease term in-full? Policies on this can vary greatly from one landlord to the next, so be sure to find out what applies to you.
Is Anything Negotiable?
Last but not least, don't forget to ask if any of your lease terms are negotiable. You may be surprised to see how flexible some landlords will be regarding lease terms, deposits, and other stipulations if you simply ask and explain your situation.
By asking these questions before signing any paperwork, you can ultimately choose the short-term rental that's right for you.
