Temporary Housing 101

Building defects, should they occur are mostly the responsibility of the property owner but is more often than not discovered by tenants. They are quite easy to deal with should the landlord be amiable to resolve the issue quickly but with some difficult landlords, a more stern approach should be taken. Renters have rights as to protection from hazards that exist within properties they occupy as part of their contract with the landlord making sure the premises always maintains safe and acceptable living standards. Read the rest of this entry »

Prefabricated homes that come green from the factory are now making their way into most people’s properties as they seek temporary homes say for a major construction/renovation of their existing homes. They have also found their way into the many storm devastated areas of states such as New Orleans which was laid to waste when Hurricane Katrina Struck a few years back. Improved with more stronger designs and with the addition of green technologies such as pre-installed solar power generation systems, they become self-sustained low cost housing for even the most economically challenged homeowner. Read the rest of this entry »

Greening rental properties may entail quite a lot of spending especially if you are talking about aged structures. Assuming most f the past environmental safety issues have already been addressed in the form of old lead-based paint, asbestos in the ceiling tiles and pipe insulation, asbestos pipes and even radon gas you may know that any retro-fitting job will cost a lot. It may be the only option to maintain the usability of your renal property for people are willing to pay more for green homes. Read the rest of this entry »

1. Research, research, research.
Know as much as you can not just about the property, but also about the neighborhood - the nearby shops and schools, public utilities, crime rate, etc. - as well as the real estate company managing the sale of the property. The internet alone is a vast resource, so make use of it as much as you can.

2. Search everywhere.
Don’t just go into one real estate company and be satisfied with what they show you. Not only will you have more choices in terms of property, but you’ll also be able to find one that gives you the best value for your money.

3. Don’t be afraid to haggle.
It’s your money, so don’t be shy in trying to get the lowest rent possible.

4. Share, but only with good people.
Try to assess whether your flatmates are good to be with. If not, then look somewhere else.

These types of lease may have effectivity for as little as a month depending on your landlord which allows tenants the flexibility of using the premises for short periods of time. These are usually offered on a case to case basis for normally, landlords and homeowners have long term leases that go for at least a yearly basis. If you happen to be undergoing renovation in your own home, this would be a nice option first to avoid health problems with dust and other harmful vapors that can result from painting and other jobs around the house. It also protects your kids from the hazardous conditions in a construction site, however short the job maybe. You can also get temporary housing if you have an old house of historic/sentimental value that has some unwelcome guests such as termites and other pest species, awaiting the go signal to return after the necessary measures have been done by the exterminator.
As with any contract, scrutinize the one you are about to sign for the clauses that may end up costing you. Try to arrange for monthly arrangements so you don’t get tied up with the deposits and anything. With today’s worsening rental market, owners and landlords might be amiable enough to allow such short-term arrangements.

Several options are available for emergency housing in cases of emergencies that renders a home useless. From the basic tent which can suffice for days in favorable weather to more semi-permanent structures. Housing in the form to rentals can be used for more extreme disasters such as storm damage or one can be borrowed from FEMA or other concerned housing agencies. These are quite robust and ties in with the city’s water and electricity supply for longer periods.
There are other home trailers such as tent homes for people who live outdoors but with children around the best options are apartments and other housing options so safety and health are prioritized. Hygiene is an important factor to consider for it is the major cause of health issues after disasters. Hurricanes in the US and tropical Cyclones in other parts of the world bring about needs for more of such housing units so do know when and how to get hold of such for preparedness reasons.

Image Source: swl.usace.army.mil

Temporary housing is almost always built after the occurrence of a natural disaster. Various architects of the times propose several kinds of temporary shelters that included prefabs, geodesic kits, inflatables, sprayed polyurethane igloos and those made of cardboard tubes and plastic beer crates. Often times, these temporary solutions to shelter needs were rejected by the end users because these did not suit local situations. After the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, 1999 earthquake in Turkey, after hurricane Floyd, tsunami in Sri Lanka survivors were brought to communal shelters which did not click because in an emergency, people typically need the support of their own families. Most of them stayed with surviving family and relatives, some shared living space in the buildings that were left standing and many left the city.

Image Source: rosesvacationcabinrental.com

You must absolutely have an information kit which you can give both current and prospective clients because it is quite difficult trying to remember everything you said to different people. Handing out an official information kit especially to clients will make you look like a professional in this business. Be sure to include in your kit all the relevant information such as:

• booking instructions - how to go about it and who to talk to

*

• accurate directions and a map to the property
• concise write up of your booking conditions like the amount of deposit, balance payments, refunds/cancellation policy and others
• recommended sight seeing spots and instructions how to get there
• laundry and cleaning policy
• arrival and departure procedure

Because you prepared and gathered answers to most frequently asked questions by guests, you are in a position to respond to all iquiries in an organized manner.

• Be a troubleshooter. Come up with resolutions to the most common concerns of your clients.
• When prospective customers get in touch with you about your rentals, it means they are interested to make a confirmed booking. Chances are, your potential customer is shopping around for the best rental deals.The vacation rentals business is highly competitive on the internet so, make it a point to reply to all inquiries within the next 24 hours or you run the risk of losing clients.

If you’re a first-timer who just flew the nest, renting your own place is a pretty big step toward independence and the responsibilities of adulthood. With thoughts of late-night parties and new furniture to buy, you may be tempted to choose the biggest and nicest place you find. Wait! Before you sign that lease, pause and take stock of your finances.

First, your rent should always be at most 30% of your net salary. You can’t keep it, if you can’t afford it, and rent isn’t the only thing you’ll be shelling out in the months to come. You should also consider all the other expenses that comes with having your own place. Utilities like water, gas and electricity, which you should include in your monthly household expenses. You also need to consider other “luxuries” you can’t do without, such as a phone, internet, cable or satellite TV, which will add to your expenses. If you’re planning to stay in a place that has monthly association dues, such as a condo or a serviced apartment, you will also have to pay additional for such services as security, administration fees & disposal fees.

Image Source: www.house-remodeling-plan.blogspot.com

An Apartment Hotel is a type of accommodation, described as “a serviced apartment complex that uses a hotel style booking system”. It is similar to renting an apartment, but with no fixed contracts and occupants can ‘check-out’ whenever they wish.Apartment hotels are flexible types of accommodation; instead of the rigid format of a hotel room an apartment hotel complex usually offers a complete fully fitted apartment. These complexes are usually custom built, and similar to a hotel complex containing a varied amount of apartments. The length of stay in these apartment hotels is very varied with anywhere from a few days to months or even years. Prices tend to be cheaper than hotels. Apartment hotels were first created in holiday destinations as accommodation for families that needed to ‘live’ in an apartment rather than ’stay’ as they would in a hotel. The apartments would provide a ‘holiday home’ but generally be serviced. Later on these apartments evolved to be complete homes, allowing occupants to do everything they would at home, such as cleaning, washing and cooking.