How to find temporary housing for corporate relocation

Relocating for work can leave you in an awkward housing limbo. If your new home won’t be ready in time for you to start your new job, you could end up with a few weeks or even months to fill. Knowing how to find temporary housing for corporate relocation will help you prepare for the move and settle into your new role without housing stress.

Many employers shoulder some of the burden here, whether by arranging your accommodation directly or reimbursing your costs based on a relocation budget. Even if you’re handling the move yourself, you’ll have the same decisions to make about how much to spend and how long to commit for.

This guide takes you through the process step by step, so you can choose temporary housing that fits your relocation plans and have it booked long before moving day.

Key takeaways

• The four main options for corporate relocation housing are furnished corporate apartments, extended-stay hotels, traditional short-term rentals, and short-term vacation rentals.
• Most employers phase their relocation benefits, perhaps covering a set number of nights before providing a lump-sum stipend. Check your policy first so you know exactly what’s covered and can avoid overspending.
• A furnished option with a flexible lease term will fit most relocation timelines better than committing to a standard 12-month lease while you search for your permanent home.
• Confirm what’s included before booking. Utilities, Wi-Fi, furniture, and parking can all affect the true cost of your stay and whether it fits your relocation budget.

6 steps to find temporary housing for a corporate relocation

There’s plenty to organize when you’re relocating for work, so your housing search needs to be methodical. Follow these six steps to find somewhere that works for the weeks or months between homes, without blowing your relocation budget.

Step 1: Confirm your company’s relocation policy

Before you lose an evening browsing swanky apartments you may not be able to afford, talk to HR or your mobility manager to learn what’s covered. Your employer might give you a housing stipend or ask you to book through its preferred relocation management company (RMC). In some cases, they’ll settle the bill directly with the housing provider.

But some employees make the mistake of thinking their corporate relocation policy is non-negotiable. Andrea Picton, a global HR director with 20 years of experience across companies like Gartner, EY, Haleon, and Chelsea F.C advises employees to “kick the tires” first. “It’s always worth asking what might be flexible or enhanced, especially if it’s a business-instigated move,” she said.

Pay close attention to how your relocation benefit is structured, too. Some employers phase their support, perhaps covering accommodation initially before moving you onto a lump-sum stipend. According to fractional CHRO Melissa Duncan, “Most companies create relocation packages as more of a reimbursement for expenses with detailed receipts required. It is best practice to confirm with the company what their policy is and get details about qualified expenses.”

Take the following questions to HR:

• Does the company work with a preferred relocation management company?
• Will the company bill the housing provider directly, or will I pay and get reimbursed?
• Is there a cap on the nightly or monthly rate?

Step 2: Define your timeline and budget

Once you know the ins and outs of what your employer commits to pay for, you can decide how you’ll stretch that budget.

• Determine your housing gap. Work out how many days or weeks fall between leaving your current home and moving into a permanent one. Use this timeframe to guide your housing decisions, and leave some buffer room in case things change.
• Give yourself a target move-in date. If you’re not sure when you’ll find a permanent home, choose an approximate end date for your search. Temporary accommodation quickly becomes expensive without an end date.
• Set your spending limit. Decide what you can afford per night or month, including utilities and any additional fees. This makes it easier to compare the apples-to-apples cost of each option rather than rent only, which doesn’t always tell the whole story.

Step 3: Choose the right type of temporary housing

With your dates pinned down, you can narrow your search to the corporate relocation housing type that makes the most sense for your stay. As a guide:

• Extended-stay hotels are a practical bridge for one to four weeks when you need somewhere ready to go without signing a lease.
• Furnished corporate apartments are better suited to stays of 30 nights or longer, with the space and comforts of home that you’ll start to appreciate after the initial novelty of moving fades.
• Traditional short-term rentals are a good fit if you want a conventional apartment to fit firm dates. Be prepared for more setup and commitment than you’ll get with furnished corporate housing. In particular, you’ll usually sign a short lease with a landlord or property manager.
• Vacation-rental platforms may be worth considering when your plans are more casual or you want plenty of flexibility around where you stay. Check Airbnb alternatives too, as different platforms cater to different types of extended stays.

Step 4: Prioritize location and commute

If you’ll be commuting to an office or worksite most days of the week, consider the time and money you’ll need to spend commuting. The average US commute already takes 27.2 minutes each way, according to the Census Bureau, so adding another 15 minutes because you found a cheaper apartment further out soon eats into your day. (Not to mention the fuel or public transportation costs of the extra journey time.)

Before you fall into this trap, map the location of each property you’re considering to your new office and check the typical commute at the times you’ll travel, because rush hour can add on time.

Think about everyday convenience, too. You’re unlikely to want a 30-minute round trip for basic groceries while you’re unpacking boxes and finding your feet in a new city. Check how easily you can reach a grocery store or pharmacy, along with public transit links or parking if you’ll be driving.

Step 5: Confirm what’s included before you book

“Furnished” can mean very different things depending on the provider. Before you book, confirm what’s included (and what’s not) so you don’t arrive to discover you’re expected to supply half the contents of the apartment yourself. Check whether your booking includes:

• Furniture and kitchenware: Confirm the apartment has everything you’ll need to live comfortably from day one.
• Wi-Fi and utilities: Find out whether these are rolled into your monthly payment or will land as separate bills.
• Laundry and parking: Check whether laundry facilities are in-unit or elsewhere in the building, and whether parking costs extra if you need a space.

Leave yourself some wiggle room on dates, too. Ask whether you can extend week-to-week if your permanent-home search takes longer than planned, along with how much notice you’ll need to give if you leave early. Flexible month-to-month leasing can be particularly useful when your permanent move-in date is still a moving target.

Step 6: Plan for family and pet needs

If your family or pets are making the move with you, factor their needs into your housing search from the outset. This is one of the fastest ways to narrow down your best-fit temporary housing, often before budget even enters the equation.

• Moving with children? Look for the right number of bedrooms and enough living space for everyone to settle into their usual routines. Depending on how long you’ll be staying, you may also want to investigate schools or childcare within a short distance.
• Bringing a pet? Check the property’s pet policy before booking and ask if additional fees or deposits apply.

Types of temporary housing at a glance

Temporary housing comes in a few different shapes, and your relocation timeline will quickly steer you toward the most practical one.

If you’re relocating for a month or more, corporate housing makes the most sense. You get the breathing room of an apartment, without committing to a permanent home too early in your move.

Where to stay while you settle in

If a furnished apartment looks like the best fit for your relocation, Blueground is a global furnished-housing provider with more than 100,000 homes based across 1,000+ cities in 50+ countries. With Blueground, you’ll:

• Move straight in. Expect a professionally managed, fully-furnished apartment, which is inspected and cleaned before you arrive.
• Keep your bills together. Rent and utilities, including Wi-Fi, are all covered in a single payment.
• Stay flexible. Month-to-month-friendly lease terms give you breathing room while you look for a more permanent home.
• Manage everything from the Blueground app. Handle your booking and support in one place, including arranging an extension if you need to stay longer.

“The entire process was fast, easy, and awesome! Kylie was incredibly helpful, especially when arranging a visit to the location. Her help made my relocation experience so much easier and far less stressful. I really appreciated how smooth and simple she made everything!” — Claudia E., a Blueground guest

Make your relocation a breeze with Blueground

A little homework before you move can save you from paying more than you need to or getting tied to a lease that doesn’t flex when your plans do. Match your temporary housing to your timeline, and check exactly what’s included before you book.

Ready to make a big move? Find your apartment with Blueground.

FAQs

What is temporary corporate housing?

Temporary corporate housing is move-in-ready accommodation used to bridge the period between leaving your old home and moving into a permanent one after relocating for work. It might be a furnished apartment, extended-stay hotel, or short-term rental, and the cost is usually arranged or reimbursed through your employer’s relocation policy.

How long are typical temporary housing leases?

Temporary housing can cover anything from a few nights in an extended-stay hotel to 30 nights or more in a furnished corporate apartment. Many providers also offer week-to-week extensions, giving you some breathing room if finding your permanent home takes longer than planned.

What’s the best option for temporary housing during a relocation?

Your timeline and budget should steer your decision. Extended-stay hotels often work well for one-to-four-week bridges, while furnished corporate apartments offer more home-like amenities for stays of 30 nights or longer. Vacation rentals suit more casual, flexible stays, although corporate billing support may be limited.

How do I find temporary housing for a corporate relocation?

Start with your employer’s relocation policy and work out exactly how much you can spend. Pin down the length of your housing gap, then compare corporate apartments, hotels, and rental platforms based on location and what’s included. Factor in any family or pet requirements before booking, too.