Relocation Housing Guide: What It Is and How It Works
A complete guide to relocation housing and temporary relocation housing — what it is, how it works with employer relocation packages, how to find a furnished home, and what to expect during your move.
Invested Escapes
Temporary Housing Experts
Relocating for a new job is one of the most exciting — and stressful — life events you can experience. You're starting a new role in a new city, navigating unfamiliar neighborhoods, and trying to find a permanent home, all while your current life is still in motion. That's where relocation housing comes in. It's the bridge between your old life and your new one: a fully furnished home that gives you a comfortable place to live while you take your time finding the right permanent residence. This guide covers everything you need to know about relocation housing, how it works with employer relocation packages, and how to make your move as smooth as possible.
What Is Relocation Housing?
Relocation housing — also called relocation temporary housing — is a fully furnished residential property provided to an employee (and their family) who is relocating for work. Instead of rushing into a permanent home purchase or lease in an unfamiliar city, the employee lives in a furnished home for 30-90 days while they explore neighborhoods, visit schools, and find the right long-term residence.
Relocation housing is typically arranged and paid for by the employer's relocation package or by a relocation management company (RMC) that the employer has contracted with. The employee arrives to a fully furnished home with all utilities, internet, kitchenware, linens, and amenities already set up — just bring personal belongings and start the new job.
Key takeaway: Relocation housing is not a hotel stay. It's a real, furnished home environment — with a full kitchen, private bedrooms, laundry, and yard — that lets you live normally while you take your time finding the right permanent home in your new city.
Who Uses Relocation Housing?
- 👔 Corporate transfers: Employees transferred to a new office location by their company.
- 🎯 New hires: Employees who accepted a job in a new city and need time to find a permanent home before starting.
- 🏢 Executive relocations: Senior leaders and executives who require premium furnished housing during their transition.
- 🏢 Government employees: Federal, state, and local employees reassigned to a new duty station.
- 🏥 Medical professionals: Doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers relocating for new hospital positions.
- 🎓 Academics: Professors and researchers relocating for university appointments.
- 🏗 Construction managers: Project managers relocating for multi-year construction projects.
How Employer Relocation Packages Work
Most mid-to-large companies offer relocation packages to employees they're moving to a new city. These packages vary widely in scope and generosity, but most include some combination of the following:
| Benefit | Standard Package | Premium Package |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Temp housing | 30-60 days furnished home | 90+ days furnished home |
| 💰 🚚 Moving costs | Packing & transport of household goods | Full-service move + storage |
| 🏠 Home sale help | Realtor referrals | Buyout option (GBO/BBO) |
| 🏠 Home finding trip | 1 trip, 2-3 days | 2 trips, 5+ days each |
| 💰 Lump sum | $5,000-$10,000 | $25,000-$50,000+ |
| 📋 Tax assistance | Gross-up on taxable benefits | Full tax gross-up |
| 🚗 Transportation | Auto transport reimbursement | Auto transport + rental car |
Important: Not all relocation packages include temporary housing. If your offer includes a lump-sum relocation payment, you'll need to arrange and pay for your own temporary housing — and manage the budget yourself. If your package includes managed relocation, the company's RMC will arrange housing for you.
Relocation Housing vs. Hotels vs. Airbnb
If you're arranging your own relocation housing (or choosing between options your RMC has presented), here's how the three main options compare:
| Feature | 🏠 Furnished Home | 🏨 Extended Stay Hotel | 🛏 Airbnb (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 📐 Space | 1,200-2,500+ sq ft | 300-500 sq ft | Varies by listing |
| 🍳 🍳 Kitchen | Full kitchen with appliances | Kitchenette — microwave & mini-fridge | Full kitchen — furnished & equipped |
| 🧺 🧺 Laundry | In-unit W/D — free | Shared hotel laundry — paid | Varies by listing |
| ⚡ ⚡ Utilities | All included | Included but basic | Included in price |
| 🎒 School district | Placed in school zone | Commercial area — not zoned | May be zoned — check address |
| 🐕 🐕 Pets | Pet-friendly, large dogs welcome | Limited or no pets | Varies by host |
| 💰 💰 Cost | $3,000-$6,000/mo all-inclusive | $3,600-$5,400/mo ($120-180/night) | $2,000-$5,000/mo + service fees |
| 📺 📺 Smart TV | Living room + bedrooms | One TV, limited channels | Varies by listing |
| 🌳 🌳 Backyard | Yes — grill, outdoor space | No | Sometimes — varies |
| 🚗 🚗 Parking | Garage or driveway | Hotel lot | Varies — street parking common |
| 🎯 🎯 Best for | Families & 30+ day stays | Solo, under 2 weeks | Flexible travelers |
Benefits of Relocation Housing
The biggest benefit of relocation housing is simple: it removes the pressure. When you're not rushing to find a permanent home, you make better decisions. Here's why a furnished home during relocation is worth it:
For Employees & Families
- ⏱ No rush: Take time to explore neighborhoods, visit schools, and find the right permanent home — without pressure.
- 🍳 Normal routine: Cook meals in a full kitchen, do laundry in-unit, watch TV in a living room. Maintain normalcy during a disruptive transition.
- 🎒 School stability: A furnished home in your target school district means kids can start school immediately — no mid-year transfers.
- 🐕 Pet companionship: Pets stay with the family in a pet-friendly home — no traumatic separation during the move.
- 😴 Better sleep: Private bedrooms, quiet neighborhood, no hotel noise. Better rest means better performance in your new role.
- 💰 Cost savings: Cook at home instead of eating out. In-unit laundry instead of paid hotel service. No daily parking fees.
For Employers
- ⚡ Faster start dates: Employees can start work immediately instead of delaying while they find housing.
- 💰 Cost-effective: Furnished homes are often less expensive than extended-stay hotels for stays over 2 weeks.
- ✅ Recruitment advantage: A strong relocation package with quality temporary housing attracts top talent.
- 📊 Tax-deductible: Qualified relocation expenses may be tax-deductible for the employer (consult your tax advisor).
- 🔄 Retention: Employees who have a smooth relocation experience are more likely to stay with the company long-term.
How to Arrange Relocation Housing
There are two main paths to arranging relocation housing, depending on whether your employer is managing the relocation or you're handling it yourself:
Option 1: Through Your Employer's Relocation Program
If your employer offers a managed relocation package, they (or their relocation management company) will handle temporary housing for you. The RMC will ask about your needs — destination, family size, pets, school preferences, budget — and arrange a furnished home. You typically just show up with your suitcase.
Option 2: Arrange It Yourself (Lump-Sum or Self-Managed)
If your relocation package is a lump-sum payment or you're managing your own move, you'll need to arrange temporary housing yourself. Contact a temporary housing provider like Invested Escapes with your destination, dates, family needs, and budget. We can match you with a furnished home within 24-72 hours.
Sometimes multiple temporary housing providers may be involved in your relocation placement. Some providers function as relocation companies, and two may work together with your employer to find the best option for your specific needs. This is standard — different providers have different inventory in different markets. Invested Escapes has our own managed inventory AND can coordinate with other relocation companies to find you the right home.
What's Included in a Relocation Furnished Home
- 🛋 Furniture: Full furniture in every room — bedroom, living room, dining area, workspace.
- 🍳 Kitchen: Full kitchen with stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, cookware, dishes, utensils.
- 🛏 Linens: Bedding, towels, pillows, blankets — all fresh and clean.
- ⚡ Utilities: Electricity, water, gas, internet, trash — all included in one rate.
- 📺 Smart TVs: In living area and bedrooms — log into your own streaming profiles.
- 💻 Workspace: Dedicated desk and ergonomic chair for remote work.
- 🧺 Laundry: In-unit washer and dryer — free, unlimited use.
- 🔥 Grill: Gas or charcoal grill for outdoor cooking.
- 🚗 Garage: Garage or dedicated parking space.
- 🔒 Fencing: Fenced yard for privacy and pet safety.
- 🌳 Backyard: Outdoor space for kids to play and family to relax.
Tips for a Smooth Relocation
- 📅 Start early: Begin arranging temporary housing as soon as you accept the offer — 2-4 weeks before your start date if possible.
- 🎒 Research schools: If you have school-age children, research school districts before requesting housing placement.
- 🐕 Disclose pets: Tell your housing provider about pets upfront — type, breed, size — to ensure pet-friendly placement.
- 📍 Map the commute: Check the commute from your temporary housing to your new office at the times you'll actually be driving.
- 🔄 Plan for extensions: House hunting can take longer than expected. Choose a housing provider that offers month-to-month flexibility.
- 📦 Minimize what you bring: Your furnished home has everything you need. Bring only personal items, clothes, and essentials.
If you're relocating for a new job — whether through an employer's managed relocation program or on your own — Invested Escapes can place you in a fully furnished home near your new workplace within 24-72 hours. You arrive to a real home with everything set up, giving you time to explore your new city and find the right permanent residence without pressure.
Learn more about how temporary housing works in our complete guide.
Temporary Housing Guide →For more help, see our complete guide to insurance housing and ALE and our renters insurance guide. If you need temporary housing during renovations, see our renovation housing guide.
Relocating for Work?
Tell us about your relocation — destination, start date, family size, and any pet or school requirements. We'll match you with a furnished home near your new workplace, often within 24-72 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is relocation housing?
Relocation housing is a fully furnished residential property provided to an employee (and their family) who is relocating for work. It serves as temporary housing — typically for 30-90 days — while the employee explores neighborhoods and finds a permanent home in their new city. Relocation housing is usually arranged and paid for by the employer's relocation package or a relocation management company (RMC).
How long does relocation housing last?
Relocation housing typically lasts 30-90 days, depending on the employer's relocation package. Standard packages offer 30-60 days of temporary housing, while premium packages may offer 90+ days. Most temporary housing providers offer month-to-month extensions if you need more time to find a permanent home.
Does my employer pay for relocation housing?
If your employer offers a managed relocation package, they (or their relocation management company) typically arrange and pay for temporary housing directly. If you receive a lump-sum relocation payment, you'll need to arrange and pay for housing yourself from that budget. Check your offer letter or ask your HR department about the specific terms of your relocation package.
Can I bring my family and pets to relocation housing?
Yes. Relocation furnished homes are designed for families — with multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, backyards, and residential neighborhoods. Most properties are pet-friendly, including large dogs. When arranging housing, specify your family size, number of bedrooms needed, and pet details (type, breed, size) to ensure the right placement.
What's the difference between relocation housing and a hotel?
Relocation housing is a fully furnished home (1,200-2,500+ sq ft) with a full kitchen, private bedrooms, in-unit laundry, yard, and residential neighborhood. A hotel is a single room (300-500 sq ft) with a kitchenette and shared laundry. For stays longer than 2 weeks, a furnished home is more comfortable, more cost-effective, and better for family wellbeing than a hotel.
How do I find relocation housing in my new city?
If your employer offers managed relocation, their relocation management company will arrange housing for you. If you're managing your own relocation, contact a temporary housing provider like Invested Escapes with your destination, dates, family size, and pet needs. We can match you with a furnished home within 24-72 hours — often near your new workplace or in your preferred school district.
Need Corporate Housing?
Whether you're a property owner looking to earn income or a tenant needing a furnished home, Invested Escapes can help.