How to Successfully Rent Your Room to Traveling Nurses

Finding housing as a traveling nurse or therapist presents a considerable challenge in the current market. As someone with extensive experience in travel healthcare, I personally found it difficult to secure units in the locations where I took assignments. Surprisingly, many potential landlords reach out to me, expressing frustration that they struggle to Rent Room To Traveling Nurses.

Renting to travelers doesn’t have to be complicated.

Ultimately, the scarcity of affordable mid-term housing options contributed to my decision to transition from travel roles to a permanent position. While my personal journey led me away from travel, if you remain interested in renting to travel nurses and travel therapists, continue reading to gain valuable insights.

It’s important for new entrants to the travel healthcare rental market to understand that the current environment is not as robust for travelers as it once was, leading many to seek permanent roles. The dual pressures of rising housing costs and reduced compensation rates from hospitals have significantly impacted traveler budgets. Travelers simply do not possess the financial flexibility for expensive units that was more common during the pandemic peak.

If you are a landlord facing difficulties finding travelers for your unit, this guide is designed to help you identify and avoid common pitfalls made by hosts struggling to accommodate travel nurses.

Here are my key tips to help you effectively Rent Room To Traveling Nurses and other traveling healthcare professionals.

The Basics To Know When You Rent to Traveling Nurses

Consider these fundamental points when preparing to rent your property to traveling healthcare professionals.

1. List Your Unit on Mid-Term Housing Websites

Relying solely on word-of-mouth or independent marketing efforts to list your rental will likely require significant effort and potential expense to secure tenants.

A frequent misunderstanding I encounter from landlords is the belief that marketing exclusively through platforms like Facebook and other social media sites is effective. In reality, this approach often falls short.

Travelers typically seek rentals through established, trusted websites. They are often wary of listings found on Craigslist, Facebook, or general social media, as these platforms carry a higher risk of scams. Encountering your listing on such sites may lead them to be hesitant about sending deposits or committing to the rental agreement.

To save yourself time and stress, list your unit on a dedicated housing website. Where do travel nurses live and find housing? Furnished Finder has become the leading platform for traveling healthcare professionals, featuring over 200,000 listed units. You can complement your listing with word-of-mouth or social media promotion if you choose, but a primary listing on a specialized site is essential.

2. Price Your Unit Affordably – The Travel Nursing Market is In a Decline

This point cannot be stressed enough: Landlords offering affordably priced units are consistently successful in renting them out.

If your primary motivation for entering the travel healthcare rental market was to command premium prices, you are likely targeting the wrong niche.

Overwhelmingly, travel nurses and other traveling healthcare professionals prioritize practicality over luxury and are not seeking or willing to pay luxury rental rates.

Many travelers, myself included, made the decision to LEAVE TRAVEL contracts because the increase in housing expenses, combined with hospitals reducing pay rates, made travel financially unsustainable.

Affordability is a key factor for most travelers. If a cheaper unit is available in the area, or if they can find an Extended Stay Hotel for less cost, they will opt for the more budget-friendly option.

It’s true that many Extended Stay America hotel bookings, especially with coupon codes, can result in lower total costs than many of the units I’ve seen advertised online for travelers.

If you doubt this, observe the activity in any travel nursing housing group on Facebook and attempt to rent a high-priced unit – you’ll likely find it challenging.

Scenic view of a sunset over a lake from a rented apartment window, illustrating a positive travel nurse housing experience

3. Fully Furnished with Basic Home Goods

As mentioned earlier, travelers generally seek practicality, not extravagance. They require fully furnished units equipped with essential home goods.

Traveling healthcare professionals have been aptly described as:

“Modern-day hippies who are looking to travel and live easily. You don’t want a lot of stuff, just the basics.”

This perspective is helpful when considering the design and aesthetics of a rental unit for travelers. Their needs, wants, and essential items for travel tend to be more minimalistic and focused on fundamental necessities.

If you’re unsure what items to include in your unit, consider everything you use daily in your own home. Dishes, towels, cleaning cloths, brooms – these are the types of everyday items that travelers greatly appreciate having readily available in their temporary housing.

Here are some items recommended for hosts renting to travel nurses:

• Fully furnished (including a bed, sofa, table, etc.)
• TV access (via cable or streaming services like Roku)
• Basic kitchen supplies (plates, cups, mugs, cutlery, cooking utensils)
• Small appliances such as a blender and coffee maker
• Cleaning supplies like a vacuum cleaner, dish soap, broom, rags, and sponges
• Food storage containers (Tupperware) and/or a travel mug for coffee
• Initial supply of soaps and toilet paper in the bathroom upon move-in
• Basic kitchen spices, such as salt and pepper
• Hangers in the closet
• A welcome book providing information about the unit, house rules, local recommendations, and potentially menus from favorite local take-out restaurants.
• A full-length mirror
• Blackout blinds in the bedroom are crucial for travelers working night shifts who need to sleep during daylight hours.
• A comfortable, high-quality mattress (not old or worn out)
• A sound machine can significantly help travelers achieve restful sleep, particularly those sleeping during the day.

Clean and simply furnished bedroom with comfortable bed and nightstand, ready for a traveling nurse tenant

Travel Nurses Want Private Spaces

When considering the layout and design of your property for hosting travelers, particularly if you are renovating a space like a basement or creating an in-law suite, the level of privacy offered is a significant factor.

First and foremost, the majority of travelers prefer a private space. This typically means a separate apartment or an in-law suite/casita with its own entrance. If affordable private accommodations are scarce in the local market, travelers will then broaden their search to include shared housing arrangements with roommates.

In a shared roommate scenario, having a private bathroom is substantially more appealing than sharing a bathroom. If your shared accommodation property can be configured to include a private bathroom option, this will undoubtedly increase its attractiveness to potential tenants. Furnished Finder vs Travel Nurse Housing options often highlight privacy levels.

Finally, a shared apartment with a shared bathroom can still be appealing if the price point and location are highly competitive. If your unit offers a private room but requires sharing a bathroom, pricing it lower is generally recommended to attract more interest and views. I have personally stayed in units with shared bathrooms, and they were consistently the most affordable options I found.

Good Rest Is Important for Travelers

Ensuring quality sleep is vital for travelers, regardless of whether they are working day or night shifts.

Creating an environment conducive to restful sleep is particularly helpful for travelers on night shift schedules. Understanding how long does it take to become a traveling nurse and the demands of their job highlights the importance of rest.

Blackout shades are essential for blocking out light, and a sound machine adds a valuable element to promote sleep.

Regularly assessing and replacing worn-out mattresses is also critical. Some of the most uncomfortable stays I’ve had were due to mattresses that felt decades old.

You don’t need an extremely expensive mattress to provide comfort. My most enjoyable rental stay featured an affordable mattress from Amazon. I was so impressed that I purchased the same one for my own home. While slightly pricier, Nectar Mattresses also offer supportive memory foam options with cooling technology, suitable for travelers of any best specialty for travel nursing.

Make House Rules Concise & Clear Upfront

Establishing rules is understandable and necessary for maintaining a well-managed property, especially regarding factors like smoking and pets that impact cleanliness and property condition.

It is crucial to communicate your house rules clearly and upfront.

Discuss the rules during the initial screening process with potential tenants. Providing a written copy of the house rules for the traveler upon their move-in is also highly recommended.

Please limit unnecessary rules. An extensive list of rules can deter travelers from choosing your unit.

I have encountered hosts with overly restrictive rules, such as prohibiting alcohol, setting curfews for entry/exit, or implementing strict no-guest policies. Additionally, some hosts impose time restrictions on when shared areas like the kitchen can be used during the day.

While your home is your property and you have the right to set rules, be aware that the more rules you have, the smaller the pool of potential guests who may be willing to agree to your terms.

I have politely declined staying with hosts who had an excessive number of rules or rules that seemed unreasonable. If your housing advertisement lists too many restrictions, it can create a negative first impression, often leading travelers to not even inquire about the unit. As travelers explore potential places to stay, they might also look at [best travel gadgets for men](https://shocknaue.com/best-travel-gadgets-for-men/) as they plan their assignments.

For example, a comment on the original version of this post highlighted a host who prohibited alcohol, fragrances, guests, and smoking. While personally I don’t drink, smoke, and could manage without candles, seeing such a comprehensive list of prohibitions in an advertisement is a significant turn-off. Too many rules can make a traveler feel constantly on edge and unable to truly relax in their temporary home.

Travel healthcare professionals are typically on assignment for an extended period and desire to feel as comfortable and “at home” in your property as possible. If your expectations and rules are not clearly communicated initially, it can result in unhappy tenants and potentially negative reviews. Clearly outlining your rules and expectations in your housing advertisement allows you to attract guests whose needs and lifestyles align with your hosting preferences.

Happy golden retriever dog sitting on a sandy beach, suggesting a pet-friendly rental option for traveling nurses

5. Introduce the Travelers to Your Hometown

When a traveler arrives to stay with you, they may be entirely new to your local area.

Help them feel welcome and ease their transition by sharing some of your town’s notable attractions or “must-see” spots. You could compile a list or brochure of your favorite places to include in a welcome packet provided upon their arrival.

Alternatively, simply being available to answer their questions and offer your personal recommendations can be incredibly helpful.

Making a traveler feel at home can significantly alleviate any anxiety about being in a new place and provides you with an opportunity to assist them in adjusting to their new surroundings and community.

Hosting traveling nurses, travel therapists, and other traveling healthcare professionals offers an excellent opportunity to generate income from extra space in your home. Hopefully, these tips provide valuable guidance on how to effectively prepare, market, and manage a rental space for traveling healthcare professionals. Best of luck with your hosting endeavors!

Rent to Traveling Nurses Recap

Renting to travel nurses can be a mutually beneficial arrangement for both the landlord and the healthcare professional seeking temporary accommodation.

However, given the current slowdown in the travel nursing market, travelers generally have reduced budgets and are less likely to afford premium-priced units.

If you are committed to renting to travelers, focus on creating a welcoming, comfortable environment that truly feels like a home away from home for your tenants.