Turn Your Rental into a Furnished Apartment for Mid-Term Stays with This Furnished Rental Guide
Why Mid-Term Furnished Rentals Are in High Demand
A mid-term rental is any rental property (room, guest house, condo, etc.) that’s rented for 1-6 months. Generally speaking, they are fully furnished and utilities are included. The key clientele for renting furnished apartments on a mid-term basis include travel nurses and healthcare workers (temporary assignments, need furnished housing); insurance relocation clients (families displaced due to fire, flood, or tree damage); and corporate professionals or digital nomads (temporary relocations, project-based stays.)
Recently, there’s been a trend of property owners shifting from short-term rentals to mid-term rentals. This shift can be attributed to several key reasons: more stable occupancy, less turnover, and higher rates than long-term unfurnished leases or short-term rentals. If you’re curious about how to set your vacation rental up as a furnished rental, this guide will help walk you through the process.
Furnishings That Make the Difference for Extended Stays
When it comes to extended stays, furnishings make all the difference. In long-term rentals you usually don’t provide any furnishings, and in short-term rentals you can get away with lower-quality or less comfortable furnishings. But for travel nurses and corporate professionals, comfort and quality is key. You’ll need to create a home like environment for remote workers and those looking for temporary housing.
Here’s a quick list of essentials for a furnished property that’s move-in ready:
- Comfortable furniture. You'll need to provide beds, a sofa, and a dining table with chairs that's complete for the number of people you'll typically host.
- A fully-equipped kitchen. This includes pots, pans, cooking utensils, a coffee maker, and anything else you would typically use in a kitchen during a 1-6 month stay, in addition to the basic kitchen appliances, like a stove and microwave.
- In-unit laundry. Make sure your guests have access to an in-unit washer/dryer, or one that's on the property but easy to access.
- Miscellaneous products. This includes all the essentials for a comfortable living experience, like linens, bath towels, cleaning supplies, and extras like a starter supply of toiler paper and paper towels.
While these aren’t necessary, these bonus items will appeal to guests of all types:
- A dedicated workspace/desk for remote work.
- A smart TV that's ready for streaming. Bonus points if you provide access to some basic streaming apps (Netflix, HBO Max, etc.).
- Thoughtful touches and tasteful décor, like extra blankets, throw pillows, or blackout curtains.
- Access to a shared outdoor space, an on-site gym, or a pet friendly setup.
If you’re curious about what else to supply, try staying in your mid-term rental for a few weeks to see if anything is lacking, or browse the listings of competition in your area for inspiration.
Setting Up for Fully Furnished Stays of 1–6 Months
So, you’ve purchased some furniture and have added some extras to your monthly rental to try to attract guests to your rental property. When it comes to setting up your listing, there are several other things to keep in mind:
- Utilities and high speed internet should be included in rent. Since travelers will only be staying in your rental property for a short time, they don't want to hassle with set-up.
- Offer flexible lease terms or month to month options (30 days, 60 days, 90 days). Anything less than a one year lease is considered a mid-term rental.
- Emphasize easy move-in / move-out. Point out that it's all-inclusive rent, there's no hidden fees, and all they have to do is show up with a suitcase.
- Consider pricing tiers and competitive price points. You'll want to price your rental property so the monthly rate falls somewhere between what you'd earn if it was an Airbnb with 100% occupancy and a traditional long-term rental.
This is another area where scoping out the competition can help. Log onto Furnished Finder or a similar website and use the search filters to check out the reviews for your monthly rental competition. What are people complaining about? What are they praising? Use those comments as a reference point while setting up your property.
Insurance & Relocation Clients – An Untapped Market
While the mid-term rental market is mostly geared towards travel nurses and business professionals, one untapped market is insurance and relocation clients. Many homeowners displaced by disasters need temporary housing while their insurance works on repairs. Families often prefer furnished homes over hotels because they offer more space, access to a kitchen and other essential furniture, and the spaces feel cozy and relaxing, enabling them to better stick to their normal routines.
Mid-term rentals fill this crucial gap for insurance companies looking for reliable housing partners that can offer move-in ready and fully equipped rental properties.
How Professional Management Maximizes Success
Some think that running a mid-term rental solo is easy, but there’s a lot to think about: buying furniture, security deposits, finding responsible tenants, making sure they understand the house rules, and whether or not you should request references. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. By partnering with a co-host like Meehan Property Management, you’ll gain access to someone who can:
- Handle direct communication with your renters
- Take high quality photos or virtual tours so your listing shines
- Manage cleaning and turnovers between guests
- Provide revenue management to keep occupancy strong
- Navigate local rules for short and mid-term rentals
Elizabeth Meehan is a hands-on, local expert with years of experience in the short and mid-term rental space. She knows how to keep properties comfortable, profitable, and booked.
Ready to get started? Contact Meehan Property Management today for a free consultation or property assessment.
If you’d like help turning your long term investment property into a furnished, mid-term rental, let’s talk.
Final Thoughts – Mid-Term Rentals Are the Future
As more and more cities put restrictions on short-term rentals, mid-term rentals are the future of the rental market. They offer a seamless transition for medical and business professionals, and are a home-away-from-home for those going through difficult times. Furnishing your rental appropriately opens the door to high-demand tenants and, with the right setup and management, mid-term rentals are profitable, stable, and easier to manage than those for short-term renters.
FAQs Section
What qualifies as a mid-term rental?
A mid-term rental is a fully furnished property typically leased for a period of 1 to 6 months, bridging the gap between short-term vacation rentals and long-term leases. “Fully furnished” usually means the rental will provide kitchen appliances, basic furniture (dining table, coffee table, bed, couch), and a flexible month to month lease agreement.
Who usually books mid-term stays?
People who book mid-term stays include business travelers, remote workers and digital nomads, students, traveling nurses, and those who are relocating or going through home renovations. They’re looking for well-maintained properties with a flexible lease length that doesn’t involve them buying or moving furniture.
How much can I make with a mid-term rental?
This depends on the location and size of your rental, but it typically falls somewhere between $1,500-$5K a month. Again, this depends on several other factors, like whether it’s a peak season, how big your flexible living space is, and whether you offer extras like elevator access, access to on-site fitness centers, or if it’s located in a prime location.
Do I need special permits for mid-term rentals in California?
Yes, you likely need special permits for mid-term rentals in California, as most cities and counties require them. You will need to research local ordinances because California does not have a statewide short-term rental law, and requirements vary by jurisdiction.