10 Questions to Ask Corporate Housing Providers Before Signing a Lease
Relocating for work? You may be experiencing a bundle of emotions: excited to start an adventure in a new city, nervous to take up residence in temporary housing, maybe unsure of what’s to come.
Or perhaps you work in an HR department and are arranging a work trip for an employee. You probably have a lot of questions about the type of accommodations in which your employee will be staying.
We recognize that this is a unique situation and we want the process to be as simple as possible, whether you’re an employee traveling, or the HR associate making travel arrangements. If you’re considering temporary housing (also referred to as corporate housing, serviced apartments, extended stay housing, or corporate lodging), here is a list of questions to ask corporate housing providers before signing a lease.
What packages are included?
Depending on the provider, there may be packages for different types of furniture, amenities, and services. Be sure you know about various packages before making any commitments.
Are pets allowed?
This is crucial to know well ahead of time so that arrangements can be made. If pets are permitted, preparing a pet for travel could take months. If pets are not permitted, then arrangements back home must be made.
Are utilities included?
Most housing companies provide rates that cover the cost of utilities. The more important question here is if there’s a utility cap. At what dollar amount, if any, will the tenant be responsible for paying?
Is there insurance? Is it required?
Insurance is always encouraged, but is it mandatory? Does the temporary housing company provide it?
What are the rules for personalizing the home?
While corporate housing providers put a great deal of effort into making their establishments home-like, many understand that tenants want to put their own touch on a property. Before altering anything in a temporary housing unit, ensure you know the policies and repercussions if these regulations are violated.
How long is the lease? Are there penalties for leaving early? It is possible to extend the booking if needed?
Because corporate lodging is mostly used for specific work assignments, many companies are flexible with the length of tenure, although they may have a minimum stay requirement. Finding out if it’s possible to shorten or lengthen a stay in a corporate lodging accommodation is important before signing a lease.
What fun activities are there to do near the housing location?
Housing providers should be able to make recommendations for fun activities in the area their housing unit is located. It’s crucial to know the kind of neighborhood in which you or your employee will be residing. Ask about activities, doctor’s offices, grocery stores, gas stations, parks, special events, attractions, festivals, etc.\
Is there a property manager, or a single point of contact?
If a tenant is assigned a single point of contact, having that contact’s name and number saved is important. On the other hand, if there is no single property manager, then tenants should have access to a hotline number or e-mail address to alert providers of concerns.
Is there an emergency contact number?
Be sure to have this number handy before it’s needed.
Is the housing option near public transportation?
This is especially important if the tenant will not have access to a personal vehicle. Public transportation could quickly become a tenant’s best friend; living in a serviced apartment near public transportation stops could be critical.
We hope this information was helpful for you as you prepare arrangements for a stay in a serviced apartment. If you haven’t already, consider Dwellworks Living for your global housing needs.
Dwellworks Living: Global Solutions for Corporate Accommodations
Dwellworks Living is committed to providing our clients and their employees with the best possible corporate housing and serviced accommodations experience. With a global network of property partners, a tri-regional team of customer experience and supply chain professionals, and a wide range of services for global mobility and travel customers, Dwellworks Living can provide the perfect corporate housing solution for any need or budget.
Dwellworks Living is the global corporate housing solution of Dwellworks, an award-winning, business-to-business provider of global mobility and business travel services. As a global leader in corporate housing and serviced accommodations solutions, Dwellworks Living is uniquely positioned to meet the temporary living needs of businesses and their employees who are relocating or traveling on short-, medium- or extended-stays. With 60,000 high-quality professionally managed properties in over 125 countries worldwide, Dwellworks Living is the preferred housing solutions partner of many Fortune 1000 and leading relocation management companies.
Dwellworks Living's corporate housing and serviced accommodations solutions are designed to help businesses attract and retain top talent, support employee productivity, and ensure a smooth and successful relocation or business travel experience. In addition to our core global accommodations management services, Dwellworks Living, through our worldwide network of local experts, is uniquely capable of offering our clients expanded and related services, such as area orientations, group move assistance, destination services and intercultural training.
Whether you have corporate housing needs for an individual employee or a large team, Dwellworks Living can provide the serviced accommodations solutions you need anywhere in the world to ensure a safe and successful stay. Please contact us to learn more or visit our Properties page to begin your search for global corporate housing accommodations.