For contractors, “home” is often a moving target. Whether you are working on a 20-week infrastructure project in the Midlands or a 6-month consultancy role in London, the quality of your accommodation can make or break your productivity. While standard long-term lets for contractors exist, the UK rental market in 2026 is complex and contractor-friendly rentals aren’t always easy to come by.
With the full implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2026, the traditional “fixed-term” landscape has shifted, making it more important than ever to know exactly what to look for when securing your next stay.
Here is your Housd guide to finding a rental that actually works as hard as you do.
1. Flexibility Without the “Fixed-Term” Trap
As of May 2026, the way tenancies work in England has changed. Traditional fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) have been replaced by rolling periodic tenancies.
- What to look for: Seek properties that explicitly cater to the “corporate let” or “licence to occupy” model if your stay is strictly temporary.
- The Benefit: This allows you to move on once the project concludes without being tied into a 12-month contract that no longer serves you.
2. The “Contractor Essentials” Checklist
A property might look great on a listing, but for a 6-month stay, beauty is secondary to utility. Before signing, ensure the property ticks these boxes:
- Reliable, High-Speed Wi-Fi: Non-negotiable for evening admin, BIM software updates, or video calls home.
- Van-Friendly Parking: If you’re a tradesman, you need secure, off-street parking or a clear permit situation for a commercial vehicle.
- In-House Laundry: Avoid the “launderette run.” A washer-dryer is a massive time-saver for workers on 10-hour shifts.
- Full Kitchen Facilities: 6 months is too long to live on takeaways. You need a full oven, hob, and plenty of freezer space for meal prepping.
3. All-Inclusive Billing: The “One Price” Advantage
One of the biggest headaches of a 6-month tenancy is setting up—and then cancelling—utility accounts. Between council tax, water, electricity, and broadband, the admin can take hours.
- The Pro Move: Look for short-term corporate lets in the UK that offer “bills included” pricing.
- Why it matters: It provides total price certainty for your company’s expenses and means you have heating and internet from the second you walk through the door.
4. Location: The 10-Mile Rule
In the world of contracting, time is money. A rental that is £100 cheaper per month but adds 45 minutes to your daily commute is a false economy. Housd have numerous properties in prime locations for contractors nationwide. Tell us exactly where you need it and we shall provide.
5. Professional Management vs. Private Landlords
On a long project, you don’t have time to chase a private landlord to fix a broken boiler. You need a professional management team that understands the urgency of contractor life. This is what we mean by ‘contractor-friendly rentals’!
- Serviced Options: Many contractors are now opting for managed corporate housing. This gives you the space of an apartment with the “fix-it-now” reliability of a hotel.
The Housd Alternative
Finding the perfect balance of flexibility, utility, and location is what we do. At Housd, we cut through the noise of the standard rental market to provide move-in-ready homes specifically designed for contractors and project teams.
We handle the compliance, the utilities, and the cleaning—leaving you to focus on the project at hand.
Call or message us today to find out how we can help you
