Temporary accommodation takes the pressure off your flat search if its terms fit your plan. A low price per night does not always mean a convenient option for several weeks.

Check the terms before you book

Ask about the full price, cancellation and extension rules, and access to a kitchen, laundry and a place to work. If you need the address for an administrative procedure, check in advance with the host and the relevant authority whether this kind of accommodation is acceptable.

Compare the total cost of the scenario

Add travel to viewings, storage and a possible second move. Consider whether you could stay longer if you find permanent housing later. Keep the host's important answers in writing.

How to write a request for temporary accommodation

Give exact dates, the number of people, whether you need a workspace and the possibility of an extension. Ask which terms change for a longer stay and how an extension is confirmed. If the accommodation is linked to an administrative task, ask separately about the documents required and check the authority's requirements. Do not take the phrase “ideal for relocation” as confirmation for a specific procedure. Keep the full price breakdown and cancellation rules with the booking so you do not have to search for an essential condition among marketing descriptions later.

How to search for a permanent home from temporary accommodation

Choose neighbourhoods and available viewing slots in advance, then estimate the travel time from your temporary address. Decide where the things you do not need every day will stay and what moving them will cost. Set a date to review the search before your stay ends. If there is no suitable flat yet, decide about an extension based on the terms of that accommodation, not on the last evening. This separates a calm search for a permanent home from the urgent question of where to spend the next night.

What to check

  • Confirm the exact dates and check-in time.
  • Check the terms for extending your stay.
  • Find out which charges are included.
  • Assess how easy it is to reach the areas you are interested in.

Example situation

An apartment far from your search areas can mean several hours of travel for each viewing. Sometimes a better location saves you a whole day.

Next step

Choose temporary accommodation as a base for your next steps, not just as somewhere to sleep.

Official information on this topic

Checklists and examples are organisational recommendations. Requirements depend on the procedure, the city and your situation; check them with the relevant office before you act. Please discuss legal and tax questions with an authorised professional.

This article was prepared with the help of AI. The example illustrates the approach and does not describe a client case.