I'm considering renting to traveling nurses anyone doing that now? or have done?

[Jane S.]

True STR scares me but I can understand how a 13-week commitment from nurses would work since the property, a 2 BR duplex, is a block from one of 2 central hospitals in town and a high-rent historic neighborhood (if you live in CS you know where this is). The list of stuff I have to provide is long and costly including new queen size beds. Do I get a firm or soft mattress???

As a woman I know what to buy, thank goodness the windows have cordless blinds already and there are Whirlpool and Maytag appliances. Does the hospital pay the rent? Is the Keycheck software helpful or bug-ridden?  

The occupants need renters insurance, obviously, but my homeowners policy probably won't cover (accidental) damage caused by them. 

There's a tenant in the lower level paying $1200 a month. This defrays somewhat the waiting period till a nurse or 2 move in.

Any comments about pitfalls and other negatives please tell me. If it looks too risky I can always do conventional 12 month lease without investing in the furniture and doodads. It's a lovely property.

Furnished Finder has been somewhat helpful but when I asked for testimonials or reviews from actual nurses who used their service, they waffled. 😳🧟‍♂️

[Nathan Gesner]

I've rented to traveling nurses before. My experience is that many of them appear to travel because they are mentally unstable and/or addicted to medications and wouldn't last in a long-term position. I also had an aunt that was a traveling nurse, and she fit the same narrative. She was a great nurse and people loved her, but she had issues that prevented her from holding a job long-term. Something to think about.

The way I understand it, there are companies that match traveling nurses with open positions around the country. The hospital hires that company to find them a traveling nurse, then the hospital pays the bills. In my experience, the hospital pays for everything. If there's an application fee, the hospital pays it. I suspect the same would be true for renters insurance.