Long Term Rentals: What to Know Before You Book

Long-term rentals have grown increasingly popular over the past few years because of remote work arrangements and the growing interest in long-term traveling.

The ability to live and work from any location has changed how people approach housing choices. This drives them toward temporary month-to-month or seasonal leases.

The trend has gained momentum from travelers who want to explore cities and working professionals who are looking for potential permanent relocation. Booking a long-term rental requires more than the simple process of booking a short weekend stay.

That's why we've developed a guide to tell you everything you should know before booking a long-term rental.

Long Term Rentals: Define Your Purpose and Priorities

First, you should always establish your purpose and priorities before entering into a long-term rental agreement. Your purpose for renting will influence almost all elements of your decision-making process.

Is your work relocation temporary or are you looking for a new city as a potential permanent residence? Have you taken a break from your regular job to recharge during a sabbatical or are you working remote while traveling?

The specific needs of each scenario will differ because remote workers are looking for quiet spaces with strong internet connectivity. In contrast, casual travelers prioritise beautiful views and experiences.

When you understand your goals, you can start to separate the essential features from the extras.

The essential features you're looking for are absolute necessities and may include amenities like a fully equipped kitchen or a workspace depending on your living situation.

Budgeting for a long-term rental will demand a broader assessment compared to budgeting for short-term stays. The monthly rental payment is only the beginning.

Additional fees such as cleaning services, utilities, internet access, maintenance, and parking fees will accumulate quickly.

You should check if the rental property provides discounts for long term rentals or offers pricing flexibility for multi-month occupancy.

Rentals with low advertised nightly prices can end up costing more after you include all additional charges. By setting a realistic budget, you can avoid unexpected costs and arrange a reasonable rental agreement.

Location, Lifestyle, and Longevity

Selecting the appropriate location for a long-term rental requires more thought than simply finding a place with great views or nearby trendy cafés. Having access to public transport becomes essential when you plan to live without owning a car.

Your quality of life improves when you live near grocery stores, pharmacies, and essential services that you can easily access.

When choosing a new place to live, it's essential to evaluate the compatibility between your personal lifestyle habits and local norms.

Someone who is accustomed to a fast-paced urban setting may experience isolation or frustration when relocating to a new town. A person who prefers a quieter setting will find living in a district with active nightlife to be exhausting.

The concept of long-term livability requires evaluating noise levels, healthcare accessibility, seasonal weather patterns, and examining the surrounding infrastructure.

Selecting a location that is aesthetically pleasing and functional will allow you to have a more enjoyable stay.

Legalities and Lease Terms

It's essential to fully understand legal aspects and lease terms when booking a long-term property rental to protect yourself and make sure everything goes smoothly.

Begin by reviewing the length of the lease to determine if it's fixed-term or month-to-month. This will allow you to understand how it can be renewed or extended.

The rental agreement should also specify deposit requirements, including the amount needed, coverage details, and refund conditions. The cancellation policies of rental agreements are also important.

You should also understand local rental laws and tenant rights because they differ across different cities and countries.

Some areas give tenants extra protections through regulations that control rent hikes, mandatory eviction notification, and property maintenance standards.

In other places, legal systems tend to support landlords, which can complicate a tenant’s ability to enforce their rights during disagreements.

As an international renter, you should consider the legal factors that go beyond the lease agreement you sign.

Certain countries provide long-stay visas to support people who work remotely. Other countries restrict foreign renters or enforce limits on the amount of time tourists can visit.

Not following immigration laws can result in financial penalties, eviction, or permanent entry bans.

When planning to rent property abroad, you should make sure that your visa status meets local legal requirements. You should also make sure your lease agreement states your legal right to stay in the property.

Long Term Rentals: Hidden Costs and Inclusions

As a long-term renter, you should evaluate both the standard rental cost and additional hidden costs. These elements will highly influence your overall rental budget.

Utilities represent a significant portion of housing expenses with services such as electricity, gas, water, and trash collection possibly being included in your monthly charges.

The availability of internet services also becomes a critical factor for remote workers because it may be bundled with rent in some properties.

However, it will require you to establish your own connections in other cases. Maintenance costs can also come into play.

Many tenants need to establish maintenance responsibilities early on. While landlords generally repair major problems, some rental agreements require tenants to handle basic upkeep.

Tenants living in apartment complexes or gated communities often pay Homeowners Association (HOA) fees to maintain shared facilities which can include pools and gyms.

Having furniture in your long-term rental is another major consideration as a potential renter.

A furnished property should have the necessary living items including a bed, sofa, table, kitchenware, and appliances. However, the extent of what is included can differ significantly depending on the location.

Basic amenities are provided at some properties, whereas others extend their offerings to include linens, decorative items, and cleaning supplies.

Unfurnished rental units may have no furniture at all or only essential appliances such as a stove and refrigerator that demand more spending from you. You should have a clear understanding of what items are included and the services before finalising your decision.

Fees can accumulate rapidly when they aren't planned for from the beginning. As a tenant, you may encounter separate fees for regular cleaning or for cleaning when vacating the property.

Urban areas often lack parking availability because dedicated parking spaces often require a high monthly charge.

If you're a pet owner, you should ask about any required pet deposits, monthly pet fees, or restrictions based on animal breeds.

To prevent unexpected charges and make sure the rental matches your requirements, you should read the lease thoroughly and ask plenty of questions.

Long Term Rentals: Technology and Remote Work Readiness

As a renter, if you plan to rent long-term while working from home, you should prioritise technology-ready infrastructure. Having reliable internet service is fundamental rather than optional for remote work situations.

However, the advertised high-speed internet availability in rental listings doesn't always match the actual experience.

As a prospective renter, you should request the latest internet speed test results from the property management before booking your rental. You can also conduct your own speed test during a virtual tour to feel more comfortable when making your decision.

Having strong upload and download speeds with consistent signal coverage is crucial for video conferences, file transfers, and overall productivity.

As a prospective renter, you should determine if power backup systems exist on the property and evaluate how frequently power outages happen.

It's also essential to verify cell phone reception because weak signals in certain buildings or neighborhoods can interrupt both communication and internet tethering during internet outages.

Being able to work remotely also depends on environmental factors such as noise levels. Having a quiet environment is essential to stay focused and stay professional during phone conversations.

Check if the long-term rental is adjacent to a busy traffic route, construction site, or close to bars.

Knowing about a property's soundproofing capabilities or noise exposure will help you avoid potential problems later.

As a remote worker who wants to work away from home or desires a different setting for work tasks, the presence of nearby quiet cafés is a beneficial alternative.

Long Term Rentals: FAQs

1. Is a formal lease required for a long-term rental arrangement?

Absolutely. Both the tenant and the landlord gain protection through a written lease agreement. The lease needs to specify the rent amount, rental period, cancellation process, required deposits and included amenities such as furnishings and utilities.

2. Is it possible to discuss rent reduction options for a long-term rental?

Yes. Landlords often show flexibility in price discussions for long-term rentals during times when demand is lower. You should discuss the lease terms by asking about available discounts or utility packages.

3. What should I check during a virtual tour?

During your virtual tour, you should inspect the furniture, appliance conditions, the layout, natural lighting, storage space, noise levels, and the internet speed. Don't be afraid to ask the host to demonstrate things during the virtual tour.

4. What’s typically included in a furnished rental?

Furnishing in a rental property normally includes essential furniture items like beds, sofas, appliances, and fundamental kitchen utensils. It's important to verify whether linens, decor, and cleaning equipment will be provided.