dscr-loan-corporate-housing) Rental Guide: How to Rent to Business Travelers for Premium Income

Corporate housing sits in the sweet spot between short-term Airbnb rentals and traditional 12-month leases. Stays typically run 30–180 days, tenants are professionals on work assignments, and the rent runs 30–50% above market rates for unfurnished units.

A two-bedroom apartment that rents for $1,800/month unfurnished can pull $2,600–$3,200/month as furnished corporate housing. And unlike Airbnb, you're not dealing with weekend party guests or daily turnovers.

This guide covers how to set up, market, and manage a corporate housing rental from scratch.

Who Rents Corporate Housing?

Understanding your tenant base shapes every decision—from furnishing to marketing.

Primary Tenant Segments

Relocating professionals: Employees starting new jobs who need 1–3 months while house hunting. Often company-paid.
Travel nurses and healthcare workers: 8–13 week contracts, recurring demand. The travel nursing market generates consistent demand in cities with major hospital systems.
Government and military: TDY (temporary duty) assignments, typically 30–180 days. Per diem rates set by the GSA—check gsa.gov for your area's rates.
Insurance displacement: Families displaced by fire, flood, or disaster. Insurance companies pay directly. Stays average 60–90 days.
Consultants and contractors: Big 4 firms, tech companies, and construction companies regularly house employees on project sites for weeks or months.
Film and entertainment crews: In production cities (Atlanta, Vancouver, Albuquerque), crew housing demand is strong during shoots.

Why This Matters

Corporate tenants are low-drama. They're working 50+ hours a week, they want a clean, functional place, and their employer is often footing the bill—which means less price sensitivity and reliable payment.

Setting Up Your Corporate Rental

Furnishing Standards

Corporate housing needs to be move-in ready with a suitcase. Think "extended-stay hotel, but nicer."

Living Room:

Sofa, coffee table, TV stand with 50"+ smart TV
Desk and ergonomic chair (non-negotiable for remote workers)
Adequate lighting—floor lamp, table lamp
Bookshelf or storage unit

Bedroom:

Queen or king bed with quality mattress
Nightstands with lamps and USB charging
Dresser with adequate drawer space
Full-length mirror, hangers in the closet (30+)

Kitchen:

Full cookware set (pots, pans, baking sheet)
Dishes, glasses, mugs, silverware for 4–6 people
Coffee maker, toaster, basic spices and cooking oil
Dish soap, sponges, trash bags

Bathroom:

Towel sets (3 per person), bath mat
Toiletries for first week: soap, shampoo, toilet paper
Hair dryer

Other Essentials:

Washer/dryer in-unit (strong preference for corporate tenants)
High-speed internet (100+ Mbps) included in rent
All utilities included—this is standard for corporate housing
Iron and ironing board
Vacuum and basic cleaning supplies

Furnishing Budget

Unit Size	Budget Range	Notes
Studio	$4,000–$7,000	Focus on work-from-home setup
1-Bedroom	$6,000–$10,000	Most common corporate housing size
2-Bedroom	$8,000–$14,000	Good for families or shared assignments
3-Bedroom	$12,000–$20,000	Less common, but higher total rent

Shop IKEA for modern-looking furniture that holds up, Amazon for kitchen/bath supplies, and Wayfair during sales for accent pieces. Total cost per unit typically pays for itself within 3–5 months of the rent premium over unfurnished.

Pricing Your Corporate Rental

How to Set Rates

Find your unfurnished market rate on Zillow or Rentometer.
Add the corporate premium: 40–75% above unfurnished rate, depending on market and amenities.
Check GSA per diem rates for your area at gsa.gov/perdiem. Government tenants can't exceed these rates. In most mid-size cities, lodging per diem is $100–$160/night ($3,000–$4,800/month).
Research local corporate housing competitors on Furnished Finder, Corporate Housing by Owner, and Airbnb (filter for monthly stays).
Factor in your all-in costs: mortgage, insurance, utilities, internet, furnishing amortization, cleaning between tenants.

Pricing Examples (2026 Estimates)

Market	Unfurnished 1BR	Corporate Housing 1BR	Premium
Austin, TX	$1,400	$2,200–$2,800	57–100%
Nashville, TN	$1,500	$2,400–$3,000	60–100%
Raleigh, NC	$1,300	$2,000–$2,600	54–100%
Denver, CO	$1,600	$2,600–$3,200	63–100%
Phoenix, AZ	$1,200	$1,900–$2,400	58–100%

Lease Terms

Standard: 30-day minimum, month-to-month after initial term
Early termination: Allow with 30-day notice (flexibility is a selling point)
Security deposit: One month's rent
Utilities included: Yes—bake it into the rate. Corporate tenants expect all-inclusive pricing.
Cleaning fee: Charge a move-out cleaning fee ($150–$300) or deduct from deposit

Finding Corporate Tenants

Top Marketing Channels

1. Furnished Finder ($99/year per listing) The dominant platform for travel nurses and healthcare professionals. If you're near a hospital, this is your #1 channel. Simple listings, direct tenant communication, no booking fees.

2. Corporate Housing by Owner (CHBO) ($450–$900/year) Targets relocating executives and corporate accounts. Higher price point but attracts higher-budget tenants. Worth it in business-heavy markets.

3. Airbnb (Monthly Stays) Filter your listing for 28+ night stays. Airbnb charges a 3% host fee. Good supplementary channel but less targeted than specialized platforms.

4. Direct Outreach

Contact local hospitals and staffing agencies (travel nurse recruiters)
Reach out to HR departments of major local employers
Connect with insurance adjusters and restoration companies
Join local real estate investor groups

5. Google Business Profile Create a listing for your corporate housing. Many corporate relocation managers search Google directly.

Building Repeat Business

Corporate housing thrives on repeat clients. One relationship with a travel nurse staffing agency can fill your unit year-round. Focus on:

Responding to inquiries within 2 hours
Keeping units spotless between tenants
Asking for referrals after each stay
Offering a 5% discount for repeat bookings or 90+ day stays

Managing Your Corporate Rental

Between Tenants

Average vacancy between corporate tenants: 3–10 days if you're priced right and marketing on multiple channels.

Turnover checklist:

Professional deep clean ($150–$300)
Inspect all furniture, appliances, and fixtures
Replace worn linens and towels
Restock kitchen and bathroom basics
Test all tech: Wi-Fi, TV, smart lock
Update listing photos if anything changed

During a Stay

Corporate tenants are largely self-sufficient. Your main responsibilities:

Respond to maintenance requests within 24 hours. These tenants are professionals—they expect professional service.
Provide a welcome packet: Wi-Fi password, appliance instructions, local restaurant recommendations, emergency contacts, nearest grocery store.
Monthly check-ins: A quick text asking if they need anything goes a long way for reviews and referrals.

Technology Stack

Smart lock: August or Schlage Encode ($200–$300). Generate unique codes per tenant.
Lease management: Avail, TurboTenant, or RentRedi ($0–$15/month)
Accounting: Track income/expenses per property. QuickBooks Self-Employed ($15/month) or a simple spreadsheet.
Communication: Keep all tenant communication in writing (email or platform messaging) for [documentation](/blog/heloc-documentation-requirements).

Legal and Insurance Considerations

Lease Structure

Use a furnished housing agreement, not a standard residential lease. Key clauses:

Furnished inventory list: Document every item with photos. Have the tenant sign at move-in.
Utility inclusion clause: Specify that utilities are included with a reasonable use cap (e.g., electricity up to $200/month).
No subletting: Corporate tenants shouldn't be re-renting your unit.
Damage beyond normal wear: Define what's covered by the deposit vs. billed separately.

Insurance

Standard [landlord insurance](/blog/landlord-insurance-guide) may not cover [furnished rentals](/blog/dscr-loan-midterm-rental) or stays under a certain length. Options:

Landlord policy with furnished rental rider: Call your insurance company and ask specifically about furnished medium-term rentals.
Proper Insurance: Specializes in STR/MTR coverage. $1,500–$3,000/year for a one-bedroom.
Require renter's insurance: Have tenants carry their own liability policy ($15–$25/month for them).

Tax Treatment

Corporate housing income is [rental income](/blog/rental-property-analysis) reported on Schedule E. Deductible expenses include:

Mortgage interest and property taxes
Depreciation (building and furnishings—furnishings depreciate over 5–7 years)
Utilities, internet, and cable
Cleaning and turnover costs
Platform listing fees
Repairs and maintenance
Insurance premiums
Travel to the property for management

Corporate Housing vs. Other Rental Strategies

Factor	Corporate Housing	Airbnb (STR)	Traditional Lease
Revenue per month	High ($2,200–$3,200)	Highest (variable)	Moderate ($1,400–$1,800)
Vacancy risk	Low-moderate	Low (if managed well)	Very low
Turnover frequency	Every 1–6 months	Every 2–5 days	Every 12+ months
Management effort	Low-moderate	High	Low
Furnishing cost	$6,000–$14,000	$3,000–$7,000	$0
Regulatory risk	Low	High (many cities restrict)	Very low

Corporate housing is ideal if you want significantly above-market rents without the daily grind of short-term rental management or the regulatory headaches.

FAQs

How much more can I charge for corporate housing vs. a regular rental?

Typically 40–75% more than the unfurnished market rate. The exact premium depends on your market, the quality of furnishing, and whether you include all utilities. In high-demand markets with strong corporate or healthcare presence, premiums can exceed 100%.

Do I need a special license for corporate housing?

In most cities, no—stays of 30+ days are treated as standard residential rentals, not short-term rentals. However, check your local regulations. Some cities have specific rules for furnished rentals or require a business license for any rental activity.

What's the biggest risk with corporate housing?

Vacancy between tenants. Unlike a 12-month lease, you'll have gaps. Mitigate this by listing on multiple platforms, building relationships with staffing agencies, and pricing competitively. Budget for 15–20% vacancy in your first year, dropping to 5–10% once you have repeat clients.

Should I allow pets in corporate housing?

It's a competitive advantage. Many corporate tenants are relocating with pets and struggle to find furnished pet-friendly housing. Charge a [pet deposit](/blog/pet-friendly-rental-guide) ($250–$500) and a monthly pet fee ($50–$75). The extra income and demand usually outweigh the wear.

Can I convert an existing rental to corporate housing?

Yes. If you have a tenant on a lease, wait for it to expire. Budget $6,000–$14,000 for furnishing depending on unit size. Marketing and getting your first tenant typically takes 2–4 weeks. Many landlords test with one unit before converting their entire portfolio.

How do I handle utilities being included?

Set a "reasonable use" cap in your lease. For a one-bedroom, typical monthly utility costs are $150–$250 (electric, gas, water, internet). If a tenant consistently exceeds the cap, you bill the excess. In practice, corporate tenants rarely abuse utilities—they're at work all day.

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[[Real Estate Depreciation](/blog/depreciation-real-estate-guide): Complete Tax Guide for Property Investors](/blog/depreciation-real-estate-guide)

Corporate Housing Rental Guide

Key Takeaways