Whether you are an individual searching for temporary living quarters during a relocation or an agency interested in furnished apartments for consultants or training groups, there are some questions you should ask before choosing a corporate housing company. We’ve broken down a list of inquiries you should make when speaking to a corporate housing provider you’re interested in, along with a quick definition of what corporate housing actually is.
What exactly is corporate housing?
Corporate housing is a term that refers to the rental of a furnished living space, namely an apartment, condo, or house, to individuals, military service members, interns, traveling nurses, or others who may need a temporary place to call home, frequently in relation to a job or project that requires them to relocate.
Corporate housing would be an alternative option to using a hotel or some sort of extended-stay lodging arrangement. This article from Wikipedia explains the term in more detail, but needless to say the advantages of using corporate housing over other options (like finding an AirBnB, for example) are many.
If you’ve decided on using corporate housing for your temporary extended stay somewhere, you’ll need to choose a company to manage your stay. While there are many corporate housing providers throughout the United States (and the world), not all companies are created equal. It’s important to ask the right questions on the front end to avoid a disaster on the back end.
What’s included?
While corporate housing is defined as a fully furnished apartment, condominium or house available for rent, usually for 30 days or longer, it should be more than just a place to lay your head at night.
Additionally, when choosing a corporate housing provider, check to see if the location you’re interested in offers helpful amenities or services such as internet, cable, laundry services, fitness and business centers, and/or parking.
For clients choosing Arch Interim Housing, a typical furnished apartment includes furniture, housewares, utilities, local telephone service, expanded cable television, and Wireless high-speed internet. Washers and dryers are usually included in our corporate apartments (if connections are available) and housekeeping can be included for an additional cost.
Knowing what comes with your stay and what you may need to provide is very important.
Is it better than a hotel stay?
The cost of corporate housing is typically less than what you would pay for an extended stay at a hotel, but if you have to pay for amenities yourself, the cost adds up.
For example, if you make the decision to stay with Arch Interim Housing, you’ll save up to 60% off a typical hotel stay while being able to take full advantage of resort style pools, fully equipped fitness centers, beautiful landscaping, and more. The corporate apartments offered by Arch Interim Housing are fully-furnished, include full-size kitchens, high-quality amenities, and are twice the size of a normal hotel room. While most corporate housing facilities will provide a set of standard amenities, it’s always best to verify before signing a contract.
How many locations do you have? Do you accommodate special requests?
These questions are all related as they pertain to your comfort and preferences. Corporate housing companies should be able to provide a wide selection of options for clients that grant any accommodation you may need. At Arch Interim Housing, a corporate housing provider with over 30 locations, we take all client requests into consideration and then provide the client with the top 3 options that most closely meet their specifications.
A great corporate housing company will be able to offer you the best solutions and comparable alternatives that work for your specific situation, rather than trying to steer you towards a property that meets their goals but not yours.
How will you be billed? Will there be any unexpected charges?
Most companies will bill you monthly for their services. However, it is best to have a clear understanding of when you will be billed, how they accept payment, and if there are additional charges for certain services or damages. Most companies will have you sign a contract outlining your costs and any additional fees if something is damaged or misplaced.
When staying with Arch Interim Housing, all monthly charges are consolidated into one itemized statement and can be paid by check, money order, or credit card. Credit card payments including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover will be completed automatically by filling out a simple credit card authorization form. We can also customize billing for corporations by itemizing and billing each charge separately.
You want to make sure that your corporate housing provider offers flexibility and ease in the payment process. Choose your corporate housing provider wisely and make sure to do your research when it comes to paying the bill.
Additional questions to ask:
- What furnishings are included? Are there any furnishings not included?
- Where is the residence located (in relation to your workplace, other residential communities, shopping areas, etc)?
- Who should be contacted in case of a maintenance need or emergency?
- Are there additional taxes for corporate housing?
- Are your furnished apartments pet-friendly?
- What are your move-in & move-out processes?
- Do you allow smoking in your furnished apartments?
- Do you provide housekeeping services?
Being adequately informed
Keep in mind that corporate housing is both a product and a service. When choosing a corporate housing provider, you should make sure that you are informed of all amenities, terms of agreement, and hidden fees. Make sure to read through your contract so that there are no surprises!
In summary, corporate housing companies should be knowledgeable about all of their properties and surrounding communities, should be able to offer multiple locations to suit your needs, and provide outstanding customer service to make the adjustment easy. Asking the right questions will ensure your temporary living situation is a good experience and help to avoid unnecessary stress.