Whether it's a weekend gig or a long-term assignment, one of the most important parts of a successful locum tenens experience is having a place to stay where you feel safe and comfortable. This comprehensive guide to locum tenens housing will help you find a living situation that's right for you.
How locum tenens housing works
Who pays for locums housing?
Many staffing agencies cover the cost of fully furnished housing, from deposits to utilities. And since taking a locums assignment usually means leaving the comforts of home, they’ll do their best to find safe, comfortable, and conveniently located temporary accommodations that will help keep any homesickness to a minimum.
PA Jason Raehl and his wife, Courtney, really enjoy the housing support they get from their agency. They love walking into a fully furnished house with clean sheets on the bed, kitchenware ready to use, utilities paid, and TV and cable ready to watch. “We don’t have to deal with the landlords; we don’t deal with a month-to-month lease; and when the assignment is done, we leave and go to the next place. Not spending any money on housing is amazing,” he says.
What if I want an upgrade
Most agencies arrange housing for you and in the process take care of the details involved in housing: the where, how much, deposits, landlords, furnishings—even details you may not think of until you move in, such as, “What will I eat on or use to flip my morning pancakes?”
It works out better when I work with an agency because I'm really busy. I've been appreciative because I would like to take my time and use it for the things I like to do. -Dr. Mojgan Saber
Housing stipends
Another option is a housing stipend, allowing you to secure your own housing. This option gives you more control over the process, but it will involve more work on your part. If you plan on finding your own accommodations, make sure you research what the staffing agency’s rules are. Some reimburse for the costs of reasonable housing as defined by the assignment contract, while others may provide you with a housing stipend or allowance.
Chelsey Zreliak, who travels with her PA husband Mark Zreliak and their young daughter, prefers to plan their housing, working within a housing stipend their agency gives them. “I really love to find housing,” she says. “I know some people don’t like to, and I get that it can be stressful, but I enjoy it.” Once she’s located the perfect location, the agency takes over from there, working out all the other logistics.What type of housing can I expect on a locums assignment?
What type of housing can I expect?
When you accept an assignment with a staffing agency, they will coordinate housing based on the type and length of the assignment.
The following are general guidelines of what you can expect from most agencies for the different types of assignments:
- A week or less: a standard hotel room with one bedroom and one standard bathroom
- More than one week for up to 30 days: usually consists of a suite or larger hotel room with a kitchenette
- Longer than 30 days: leased apartment with one bedroom and one bath, furnished with one TV and one bedroom set
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sonya Sloan has worked locum tenens for more than a decade and has stayed in a variety of housing types on her assignments. “I’ve stayed in a house. I’ve had apartments. I’ve had nice townhomes for longer stints. When my kids were younger, I actually took them with me and even a nanny,” she says. “Most recently, extended stay hotels are usually more the norm.”
“If it’s longer than a 10-day stint, getting an extended stay that has a full kitchen—and maybe a smaller living room, so you have a little space to live—is really good,” she says.
Less common housing options
When there are fewer market options, Airbnb or other vacation rentals may be an option, but they tend to offer less flexibility and fewer protections. Occasionally, healthcare facilities have their own housing available for use by locum tenens providers.
Housing for special situations
Bringing family on assignment
Many locum tenens travelers choose to travel with their significant others and even their children. The PA Mark Zreliak and his wife Chelsey travel with their two young children. Even though they have kids, they still enjoy the locums lifestyle for now. They’ve found that CompHealth, the agency they’re working with, has made the process smooth when traveling as a family.
Key considerations when you take your family on assignment with you:
- Let the agency know early on that you will be bringing family.
- You may be required to pay the difference in housing cost to accommodate family members or pets.
“If you want to travel with a family, you totally can,” she says. “Locum companies like CompHealth are so accommodating!”
Traveling with pets
Whether your best friend is a cat, dog, or a more exotic pet, most locums agencies will help you find housing that accommodates your traveling companion. However, it’s important to let the agency know up front.
- Agencies can usually arrange for the accommodation of pets. However, depending on the type and breed, it may be more difficult to find housing that will accept your pet.
- Any pet-related costs will be your responsibility to cover.
Housing for international assignments
While housing is typically included in domestic placements, it can vary for international assignments. Global Medical Staffing describes it this way:
“There are two main ways locum physicians obtain housing, either through the employer or on your own. In the former case, some employers provide a furnished house or apartment as part of the compensation package. These lodgings are typically located near the worksite and, while simple, are clean and comfortable.”
One positive is that housing stipends are often comparable to U.S. compensation. This can be a money-saving avenue for strategic locum tenens providers who book cheaper accommodations than what their stipend allows.
“Housing is more simplistic overseas,” says Diane Wright, Global Medical Staffing international placement supervisor. “Maybe there are fewer conveniences, but we make sure our physicians are comfortable and have a good experience.”
Pro tip: Research your agency’s specific resources
Each locum tenens agency will have their approach and policies, so it’s important to do your research. For instance, Weatherby Healthcare provides an in-depth housing guide for newbies that provides transparency into the housing process for its participants.
Communicate your preferences
Agencies are aware that physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are individuals with individual needs and preferences who don’t all want the same thing. It’s important to communicate your requirements as specifically and openly as possible. Consider the following requests or others you might have:
- Do you have mobility concerns or preferences and need to be near an elevator or on the ground floor?
- Are you an OB-GYN or another specialist who’ll want to be near the healthcare facility to be able to respond quickly to call?
- Do you need space to accommodate visiting family members or a location that allows pets?
- Would you prefer housing in a walkable area like downtown, or is distance to your facility more important?
- Do you need a king-sized bed?
- What amenities are important to you: fitness access, a kitchen, or an office area?
While specifics are helpful, the more flexible you are about your wants and requirements, the more housing options will be available. There are definitely things you shouldn’t compromise on, but occasionally, it’s helpful to think twice about those things that are really “needs,” versus just “would-be-nice-to-haves.”
What’s negotiable in agency-provided housing
The key is to ask for what you want. Vlad Dzhashi, MD, also known as The Locum Guy, has one key piece of advice for future locum tenens housing shoppers: “Remember that in the locums business, everything is negotiable, and housing is no exception. And most, if not all, locums companies will agree to rent a decent place for you as long as you ASK FOR IT!”
If you prefer to arrange your own housing, your stipend may be negotiable. Ask what the maximum allowable reimbursement is and confirm whether unused stipend funds are yours to keep. Note that only the actual cost of your housing is tax deductible, and your stipend will be considered income. When securing your own housing, make sure to check for things like cancellation policies and the ratings to ensure you don’t get stuck with unsuitable housing.
Pro tip: Find something close to the facility
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Kusnezov, MD, recommends finding accommodations relatively close to your worksite. “Within reason, I often try to pick an accommodation that is near the hospital. This minimizes transit times and maximizes comfort and convenience. This is particularly important if you are getting called back to the hospital frequently. The last thing you want to do is spend an inordinate amount of time commuting between your lodging and the hospital, which wastes not only time but gas and mileage.”
Preparing for temporary housing
Getting your home ready to leave
If you’re leaving for the weekend, you may only need to make sure the doors are locked, lights are turned off, and someone is around to grab your mail. For longer assignments, here are some considerations:
- Update delivery addresses. Make sure deliveries for online purchases, grocery deliveries, and prescriptions have the correct address, especially recurring ones.
- Cancel or suspend subscriptions. Do you have any recurring monthly costs like internet or gym memberships that could be put on hold?
- Prepare your home. Set your thermostat to an away status, change your furnace filter and smoke alarm batteries, have your water turned off for the winter months, and make sure appliances are turned off.
Setting up a virtual mailbox
Many locum physicians set up virtual mailboxes while away. Popular options include: Anytime Mailbox, Traveling Mailbox, iPostal1, and Earth Class Mail. Some things to consider with virtual mailboxes:
- Make sure the company you use is HIPAA compliant and offers robust security if you will be receiving sensitive documents
- If you’re using your permanent residence as your tax home, make sure your virtual mailbox is in your tax home state
- You will need to notarize USPS Form 1583 in order for the USPS to transfer your mail, but some virtual mailbox services offer this service during setup
Packing essentials and comfort items
Think about what will make your life more comfortable while you’re away, whether that’s mementos from home or necessities you can’t live without.
Pediatrician Dr. Trevor Cabrera says having an extra portable charger or hotspot can be a welcome addition in some of the more rural areas that have less-reliable service.
Pay attention to the amenities with your housing and plan accordingly. “Fitness is an important aspect of my life and having a hotel gym is important to optimize my downtime,” says orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Kusnesov. “Additionally, if your family comes with you, they would certainly enjoy a nice hotel breakfast, movies, and time at the pool.”
Check details for your housing, such as:
- Parking availability
- Move-in details
- Utility coverage
- Inclusions and exclusions
- Cancellation policy
Pro tip: Home is where the chef’s knife is
Veteran locum tenens emergency medicine physician Dr. Ripal Patel says, “I stay where there’s a kitchen, and I bring my knife set and some spices. It’s far more cost-effective, healthier, and cheaper than eating out.”
Dr. Trevor Cabrera agrees. "As an amateur chef, being able to bring my mini portable kitchen from place to place, complete with my favorite chef’s knife, allows me to cook and make simple things on the go. This always brings me back to the days of having a consistently full kitchen."
Pro tip: Bring a capsule wardrobe to simplify laundry
Laundry can catch up with us even when we are not working crazy hours. To make one item on your to-do list even simpler, consider packing outfits that coordinate well with each other (a capsule wardrobe) and items that are made with fabrics that wash well, like cotton or polyester.
You can often use hotel washing machines to clean your clothes, but you may be limited on the time of day you can use them, and they may be older and not as high-quality as your machine at home.
Ever wonder how locum tenens pros pack for their assignments? This veteran locum shares his packing tips:
Financial considerations
Housing stipends and reimbursements
If you book your own housing, your agency will pay you a stipend to do so. You may be able to secure suitable housing below the stipend for reasonable housing costs, but only the actual cost of your housing is tax-deductible, and your stipend will be considered income.
Tax deductions for housing and travel
Since locum tenens are 1099 contract employees, some travel and housing expenses may be tax deductible. If your assignment contract is for under one year and you maintain a tax home that meets IRS criteria, the actual cost of your housing may be deductible. As always, we recommend consulting with your tax advisor for more information.
Learn more about locum tenens taxes: Read our tax guide
Educate yourself and be prepared
For the best locum tenens housing experience, ask questions and do your research. A few tips:
- Ask the locums agency if the property has been used for other assignments and if others have had positive experiences there.
- Look at reviews on third-party sites like Trip Advisor.
- For rentals, see if you can visit the location before you move in. For longer assignments, your agency will often allow you to stay in a hotel to visit the location and evaluate for safety, quality, and comfort before closing on a lease.
- Make sure to get details in writing. If you’re requesting something outside the standard housing guidelines, make sure it’s written in your contract.
Locum tenens housing frequently asked questions
Does the staffing agency always pay for housing?
Most agencies provide fully furnished, agency‑paid housing—including utilities—for the duration of your assignment. Some offer a housing stipend if you prefer to book accommodations yourself. Housing upgrades or larger units may require out‑of‑pocket costs.
Can I choose my own housing?
Usually the agency books your housing for you, but many offer the option of a stipend so you can select your own place. If you choose the stipend, expect to handle deposits, leases, and communication with landlords yourself.
What types of housing can I expect?
Common arrangements depend on assignment length:
0–7 days: Standard hotel room
1–4 weeks: Extended‑stay hotel with kitchenette
30+ days: Furnished apartment
In some cases, vacation rentals or facility‑owned housing may be used.
Can I bring my family?
Yes. Many locum providers travel with spouses or children. Let your agency know early—some may cover the full cost, while others require you to pay the difference for larger accommodations.
Are pets allowed in locum housing?
Most agencies can locate pet‑friendly housing, but breed restrictions and pet fees are common. Any pet‑related costs are typically your responsibility.
How does housing work for international locum tenens assignments?
For overseas assignments, housing may or may not be provided. When included, it’s usually furnished, simple, and located near the worksite. Many physicians choose to apply their stipend to lower‑cost options to save money.
What should I ask for when communicating housing preferences?
Often-requested preferences include: Proximity to the hospital, pet‑friendly units, kitchen access, quiet floors, fitness center access, and larger units for family.
How should I prepare my home before leaving for an assignment?
For longer assignments, update delivery addresses, pause subscriptions, prepare things like your thermostat and water for vacancy, and consider a virtual mailbox for mail forwarding.
Are housing expenses tax‑deductible?
Yes, if your assignment is under one year and you maintain a qualifying tax home, some housing and travel costs may be deductible. Consult a tax professional for details.
How can I make temporary housing feel more like home?
Many physicians recommend bringing favorite kitchen items, personal items like photos, and a time-capsule wardrobe.
For more help
While every staffing agency handles locum tenens housing a little differently, they all have the same goal: to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible and feel at home when you’re not on the job. For specifics on how housing will work for your circumstances, give your staffing agency a call.
Updated Feb. 23, 2026