Furnished apartments for month-plus stays
Offer a few furnished, fully equipped apartments to guests staying one to several months, with cleaning and support.
- $8k-40k
- Part-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
2,061 US businesses with employees in this field, +8.6% in a year
NAICS 721199 “All other traveler accommodation”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
You run a small group of furnished apartments aimed at stays of roughly 30 days or longer, with utilities, Wi-Fi, linens and periodic housekeeping included. You may own the units or lease them with the landlord's written agreement.
Your first three steps
- Research your city or county rules on stays of 30 days or more, and talk to landlords about leasing units for furnished use
- Contact local hospitals, staffing agencies and relocation companies to learn what housing they need and what they pay
- Furnish your first unit to a consistent standard, then list it on mid-term rental sites and build a short guest welcome guide
Who pays
Traveling nurses and contractors, relocating professionals, companies housing staff, insurance clients after a home loss, and students on short placements.
How it makes money
A monthly all-inclusive rent, often with a cleaning or pet fee. Longer stays mean fewer turnovers and steadier income than nightly rentals.
Skills that help
- Organizing several units and vendors
- Clear communication with guests and employers
- Basic budgeting and pricing
Watch out for
- Landlord, lease and HOA permission for furnished stays; get everything in writing
- Tenant rights: in some places, a stay past a certain length can count as a tenancy, so check your state's landlord-tenant rules
- Insurance that covers furnishings and paying guests, plus liability coverage
- Lodging taxes may or may not apply to longer stays; check with your state and local tax office
- Gaps between guests still mean paying rent and utilities, so plan for vacant weeks
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: furnished apartments for month-plus stays
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a furnished mid-term rental business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how many units you furnish and whether you own or lease them. Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $18,000, depending on units, pricing and vacant weeks.
What rules should I check before offering month-plus furnished stays?
Check your state's landlord-tenant rules, since in some places a stay past a certain length can count as a tenancy. Also get landlord, lease and HOA permission in writing, confirm insurance covers furnishings and paying guests, and ask your tax office about lodging taxes.
How much time does a mid-term rental business take each week?
Estimates start at around 12 hours a week, depending on the number of units and vendors you manage. Helpful skills include organizing units and vendors, clear communication with guests and employers, and basic budgeting and pricing.
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Photo: Engin_Akyurt on Pixabay