Relocating for work in the UK: where to stay for the first three months
Signing a twelve-month tenancy in a city you have never lived in, before you know the commute or the neighbourhoods, is the most common and most expensive relocation mistake.
A furnished monthly stay buys you time to learn the place first, and it costs less than people expect once bills, furniture and deposits are counted.
Why not go straight into a tenancy
A standard let needs referencing, a deposit, a guarantor in some cases, and then furniture, white goods, utility accounts and a council tax account. That is several thousand pounds and several weeks before you have somewhere to sleep.
You are also locking in a neighbourhood and a commute on the basis of a map. Three months on the ground tells you far more than any amount of research.
What a furnished monthly stay includes
Furniture, beds made up with linen and towels, a full kitchen, a washing machine, a TV and fast broadband. Gas, electricity, water and council tax are inside the price and stay in our name.
No referencing and no six-month minimum; a refundable security deposit applies. The booking simply ends on the date agreed, or rolls on month to month if you want longer.
Bringing family, pets and a car
If the family joins later, take a home with the bedrooms you will eventually need rather than moving twice. School catchments are worth checking before you choose the town, not after.
Tell us early about pets and parking — both are available at a number of our homes, but they narrow the shortlist, so it is better to filter at the start.
Month-one checklist
Register with a GP and a dentist, both of which have waiting lists in most UK cities.
Try the commute at the real time of day, in both directions, before you commit to a permanent address.
Open or update a UK bank account with your new address, and keep the accommodation invoices — they are usually accepted as proof of address and are often reimbursable by an employer.
Ask your employer what relocation support exists. Many will pay temporary accommodation directly if it is invoiced to the company.
Frequently asked
How long should temporary accommodation last when relocating?
Two to three months is the usual sweet spot: long enough to learn the neighbourhoods and commute, short enough that you are not paying twice once a permanent home is found.
Are bills included in a relocation stay?
Yes. Gas, electricity, water, council tax and broadband are inside the quoted price, and nothing is put into your name.
Can my employer pay for the stay?
Yes. We invoice companies directly with itemised invoices suitable for relocation budgets and expense claims.
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