Long-stay accommodation checklist: what to check for a month or more

Space and layout

On a long stay you live in the apartment rather than just sleep in it. A studio can feel cramped after the first week, especially if two people share it or one of you works from home. A separate bedroom lets one person sleep while the other works or watches television, and a proper table matters more than you might expect.

Compare floor areas where they are published, look at the floor plan if there is one, and check storage: a wardrobe and drawers for a month of clothes, and somewhere to put suitcases out of the way.

• Separate bedroom, or studio layout?
• Floor area and floor plan
• Wardrobe and drawer space
• Natural light and whether windows open

Kitchen and laundry

Cooking most meals at home is one of the main reasons to choose an apartment for a long stay, so look carefully at what the kitchen has. A typical apartment kitchen has a sink, fridge, microwave and hob; some add an oven and a dishwasher. A kitchenette may be enough for breakfast and simple dinners but limits what you can cook week after week.

Laundry is the other daily essential. An in-apartment washing machine is the most convenient; a shared self-service laundry room in the building is a common alternative. Check also whether housekeeping and linen changes are included at the long-stay rate and how often — see what is included in a serviced apartment for the usual inclusions.

Workspace and internet

If you will work from the apartment, a sofa and a coffee table will not do for a month. Look for a desk or dining table at a sensible height, a chair you can sit on for hours and a power socket nearby. Ask about the internet connection: whether it is private to the apartment or shared across the building, and whether the operator can share a typical speed.

On shared networks, consider using a VPN, as cyber security agencies advise for public or shared Wi-Fi. A mobile data plan or a portable hotspot is a sensible backup for important calls.

Location and transport

For a short trip, being near the sights is what counts. For a month, being near everyday life matters more: a supermarket, a pharmacy, somewhere to exercise, and a direct public transport route to wherever you go most often, whether that is an office, a client site or a school.

Spend ten minutes on a map before booking. Check the route at the times you will actually travel, and look at what is on the street at night as well as during the day. Quiet residential streets are often better for sleep than central squares.

Contract, cancellation terms and deposits

Long stays often come with different terms from nightly bookings. Some providers offer reduced rates for longer stays, but they may be paired with stricter cancellation conditions. On Airbnb, for example, stays of 28 nights or more fall under a long-term cancellation policy, and the first payment may be non-refundable. Read the policy for your specific rate, and ask what happens if you need to leave early or extend.

If a deposit is required, find out how much is held, how and when it is returned, and what it can be used for. The US Federal Trade Commission advises getting the cancellation and refund policy in writing before you pay, and never paying by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency. Pay through the operator's own system or a reputable platform.

• Cancellation policy for the exact rate you are booking
• Rules on early departure and extensions
• Deposit amount, return timing and deductions
• Written confirmation of what is included

Before you arrive and in the first week

A little preparation makes the first days of a long stay much easier. Before you travel, confirm the arrival arrangements in writing, including how you get keys or codes if you land late, and save the operator's contact details somewhere you can reach them offline.

On arrival, walk through the apartment and note anything that is missing, damaged or not working, and report it straight away — photographs with a date are helpful if a deposit is involved later. Check the heating or air conditioning, the hot water, the oven and the washing machine while there is still time to have them fixed before you need them.

In the first week, find your everyday places: the nearest supermarket and pharmacy, a launderette if there is no machine, a quiet café for a change of scene and the quickest route to work. Settling these early is what turns a long stay from a holiday that drags on into a comfortable routine.

• Arrival instructions and out-of-hours contact saved offline
• Inventory check and photographs on day one
• Appliances, heating and hot water tested
• Everyday shops and transport routes mapped

Post, parcels and local rules

Over a month you will almost certainly receive something by post or courier. Ask whether the building accepts parcels on your behalf, whether there is a reception or parcel locker, and how the address should be written so deliveries reach you.

Some countries expect people who stay for a period to register with the local authorities; the UK government's guidance for people moving abroad notes that you may need to register as a resident in your destination country. Requirements depend on the country, your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay, so check the rules with the official authorities of the country you are visiting before you travel. Ask your accommodation provider too, as they may be able to tell you what documentation they supply.