Are you weighing whether a furnished 30 to 90 day rental will work in Hudson Square? With a strong base of media, creative, and tech firms nearby, you have a built-in audience of professionals who want turnkey housing. In this guide, you’ll learn who rents furnished in Hudson Square, what features they expect, how to price and market effectively, and what NYC rules you must follow. Let’s dive in.
Why Hudson Square demand stays steady
Hudson Square sits in Lower Manhattan with a dense mix of media, advertising, creative, and tech employers. That employer base fuels ongoing demand for medium-term furnished stays from corporate transferees, project teams, and consultants. Manhattan’s furnished and flexible-stay market has remained active as business travel and relocations stabilized, with seasonal peaks tied to hiring cycles and production calendars. Your pricing and occupancy will track closely with proximity to offices and transit, plus the strength of your building amenities.
Who rents 30 to 90 day units
- Corporate transferees and consultants on project assignments or onboarding.
- Media and production crews working at nearby studios or offices.
- Tech and creative hires on short projects or waiting for permanent housing.
- Relocating households bridging between homes or leases.
- International assignees and visiting academics or artists.
- Medical professionals on shorter assignments, though less common here than near hospitals.
What renters prioritize
- High-speed internet with a reliable workspace. A desk and ergonomic chair are musts.
- Fast, flexible move-in with smart locks or simple check-in.
- Fully equipped kitchens and in-unit washer/dryer if possible, or clear laundry options.
- Clean, neutral furnishings with adequate storage.
- Transparent terms: utilities and Wi‑Fi included, simple deposits, clear policies.
- Accurate listings with professional photos and responsive communication.
Timing and seasonality
Demand tends to run higher in spring and early fall, aligning with corporate and production schedules. Lead times vary: urgent corporate stays can book within 2 to 6 weeks, while some assignments are arranged months ahead. Plan to activate marketing 2 to 8 weeks before your target availability, with the ability to turn a unit in two weeks when needed. Keep a 1 to 3 day buffer between guests for cleaning, inspection, and maintenance.
Marketing timeline
- Ongoing: Keep your listing current with real-time availability and refreshed photos.
- 4 to 8 weeks out: Increase outreach to relocation and corporate channels; confirm pricing tests.
- 2 weeks out: Lock in cleaning, linen, and check-in logistics; finalize welcome materials.
Set up your unit to succeed
Making your home truly turnkey increases both speed-to-lease and pricing power. Focus on the essentials first, then layer value-adds that corporate clients notice.
Essential features checklist
- Neutral, high-quality furnishings: sofa, dining table, bed with frame, bedside tables.
- Functional workspace: desk, comfortable chair, task lighting; double up for two-bedrooms.
- Reliable high-speed internet with documented speeds and streaming options.
- Stocked kitchen: cookware, dishware, basic pantry items.
- Linens, towels, and cleaning supplies packaged for turnover.
- Smart lock or lockbox and a clear digital guest manual.
- Safety gear: smoke and CO detectors, fire extinguisher, and instructions.
- Practical storage: closets, wardrobe solutions, and luggage racks.
- Professional photography and a precise amenity list.
Value-add amenities
- Dedicated work area with dual monitors for high-end corporate users.
- Utilities and Wi‑Fi included, with options for add-ons if needed.
- Optional concierge services like mid-stay cleanings or linen swaps.
- Short-term parking arrangements or nearby partners when available.
NYC rules and building policies
New York City restricts full-unit rentals of fewer than 30 consecutive days, which makes 30 to 90 day stays the typical compliant window for furnished, whole-unit rentals. If a unit is rent-stabilized or otherwise regulated, you cannot use furnishing or medium-term leasing to override regulations. Co-op and condo bylaws often set minimum lease terms, limit sublets, or require prior board approval. Standard leases may restrict subletting, so confirm your forms and permissions before marketing.
Hotel or transient occupancy taxes generally do not apply to stays of 30 days or more when treated as residential tenancies. Other taxes or business requirements can apply depending on your operations, so confirm with a tax advisor. Standard landlord insurance may not cover furnished medium-term occupancy, so update your policy and consider supplemental liability coverage.
Compliance checklist
- Confirm your building’s bylaws and secure written board approval if required.
- Verify the unit’s regulatory status and avoid rent-regulated units for this strategy.
- Use lease language that permits furnished, 30 to 90 day occupancy.
- Outline utilities, deposits, and cleaning/damage policies in writing.
- Maintain proper insurance and consider requiring tenant liability coverage.
Pricing and calendar playbook
Your pricing should reflect the convenience of a furnished, turnkey product and the location premium near Hudson Square’s offices and transit. If you market on monthly-friendly platforms, convert a nightly rate to a monthly one and test discounts for longer stays to see demand elasticity. Publish an honest fee structure, including cleaning and administrative fees, and clarify exactly what utilities are included. Consider a 30 day initial term with a pre-set extension rate to reduce vacancy risk while giving tenants predictable options.
Calendar management matters as much as price. Keep your listing live with rolling availability and use short buffers for cleaning and maintenance. Plan for a 2 week launch window when you anticipate turnover, and update pricing weekly based on inquiry volume and lead times.
Operations: self, concierge, or syndication
You can manage everything yourself, hire a concierge-style operator, syndicate through a broker, or mix approaches.
- Owner-managed: Best potential net yield if you handle marketing, screening, check-ins, and maintenance. It requires hospitality-level responsiveness.
- Property manager or concierge leasing: Outsource staging, photography, listings, communications, cleaning, linen, and maintenance coordination. It reduces friction and often speeds up leasing, with fees that trade off against time saved.
- Syndication via broker networks: Push one listing across multiple platforms and corporate channels to reduce vacancy and capture specialized demand.
- Hybrid: Maintain a long-term core lease while allowing furnished flex stays when gaps appear. Confirm building and lease compliance before using this model.
Track results and avoid pitfalls
Common risks include regulatory missteps, board restrictions, frequent turnover costs, insurance gaps, and market volatility tied to hiring and production cycles. Start with one or two units to refine pricing and operations before scaling. Track occupancy, average length of stay, turnover costs, net effective rent, and guest satisfaction to guide adjustments. A simple operations manual with SOPs for cleaning, check-in, and emergency contacts will keep standards consistent.
Next steps for Hudson Square owners
- Confirm building rules and unit status, then align your lease documents.
- Upgrade your insurance and finalize your operations manual.
- Stage the unit for work-from-home, document internet speeds, and shoot pro photos.
- Launch a 2 to 8 week marketing plan across corporate and broker channels.
- Test pricing and refine based on inquiry volume and lead time.
If you want a Lower Manhattan specialist to stage, syndicate, and manage a furnished program built for corporate demand, connect with APT212. Our SoHo-based team pairs concierge leasing and multi-channel distribution with modern, compliance-ready workflows for local and international owners.
FAQs
What is the minimum legal stay for furnished whole-unit rentals in NYC?
- In most cases, full-unit rentals under 30 consecutive days are restricted, so target stays of 30 days or more for compliant furnished leasing.
How far in advance should I list a Hudson Square furnished unit?
- Most bookings happen 2 to 8 weeks before move-in, with occasional urgent corporate needs as short as 2 weeks’ notice.
Which features matter most for 30 to 90 day tenants in Hudson Square?
- Reliable high-speed internet, a proper workspace, clean neutral furnishings, a stocked kitchen, and straightforward utilities and check-in drive the most interest.
Do co-op or condo rules allow 30 to 90 day leases?
- Many buildings set minimum lease terms, limit sublets, or require board approval, so review bylaws and secure written permissions before marketing.
How should I price a furnished unit near Hudson Square offices?
- Price for turnkey convenience, included utilities, and location; test monthly discounts for longer stays and clarify fees and extension rates upfront.
What does concierge leasing include for furnished rentals?
- Staging, professional photos, listing creation, tenant screening, check-in, cleaning and linen service, guest support, and coordinated maintenance are typical.
Are hotel taxes due on 30 day or longer furnished stays?
- Stays of 30 days or more are generally treated as residential tenancies without hotel taxes, but confirm other tax and business requirements with a qualified advisor.
