Alternatives to short term rent?

andthethreebears

Hi all,
What options are there for someone who is in need of somewhere to live for <90 days. (The time between their house sale completing and finalising purchase of a new property across the country)
Rentals seem very expensive when you factor in fees.
I'd suggested buying a caravan and considering the time a holiday but are there other realistic/sensible alternatives for 2 adults, children and pets?
Thanks in advance!

PasturesNew

Depending on the month/s involved contacting caravan/holiday home owners and even (in some areas) small hotel owners to get a "long term" price. I got a fabulous long-term price based on just 3 weeks in July at a top English resort (£150/week inc breakfast I think). That was their usual "6 months during winter" price!

Or, check out airbnb.com

Also, sites like spareroom and similar will have offers for short terms.

Biggest problems will be pets .... 2 kids .... if it was just 2 adults it'd be easier, so the holiday caravan/holiday let long-term rental is the best route.

I_have_spoken

It's the pets put the kibbosh on most options, such as long term at a Premier Inn/Travelodge, doing housesitting, B&B etc. Plus not being able to cook for yourself would be costly.

Are you anywhere near a canal and could rent a moored-up narrowboat over the summer?

Even putting the pets into kennels/cattery may save money if you can then rent a static caravan

Callie22

A friend of mine got a good deal on a holiday cottage when they needed somewhere to stay for a few months. It was out-of-season though, but it's worth phoning around.

andthethreebears

Thanks guys - I thought it'd be the animals that'd cause the trouble. Holiday home + cattery sounds like the most reasonable option!

tyllwyd

Are they 100% certain of the timetable - if the purchase is delayed it might be difficult to extend the rental period on a holiday home, which would mean moving again. If they can afford it, it might be safer to go for a six month tenancy, so they would have somewhere to store their furniture (or at least some of it) and they could do some decorating while the new house is empty.

andthethreebears

I did wonder that, however I'm not sure how easy it would be to set up council tax / utilities etc on the new purchase if they also have an ongoing rental?

Owain_Moneysaver

andthethreebears wrote: »

I did wonder that, however I'm not sure how easy it would be to set up council tax / utilities etc on the new purchase if they also have an ongoing rental?

It's not a problem; plenty of people own two properties at once. And council tax exemption may be claimable on a home uninhabitable due to renovation (removing the kitchen sink makes a house uninhabitable)

Owain_Moneysaver

There are often houses available over the summer in student areas where students have a 12 month tenancy but want to sublet out over the summer, or have a 9 month tenancy and the landlord will do a 'holiday let'.

If the pets can be boarded to friends or relatives that will make it easier to find accommodation, and cheaper than kennels/cattery.