Temporary accommodation while you move

If you need somewhere to live in Bournemouth while you buy, sell or move house, a serviced apartment on a monthly rate is usually the easiest answer. Flexiestays apartments come furnished, with the bills included, and there is no commitment beyond the first month, so a completion date that slips by three weeks does not leave you stuck in a lease. You book online and can move in within days.

This guide covers how it works when your move is uncertain, what to ask before you book, and what guests who did exactly this say about it.

Why a serviced apartment works for a move

Moves rarely run to plan. Chains break, surveys raise questions, completion dates move. A six- or twelve-month tenancy commits you for longer than you need, and a hotel room gets small and expensive after the first week.

A monthly Flexiestays stay sits between the two:

• Flexible length. No fixed term beyond the first month. Extend or shorten with notice; the notice period is in your confirmation.
• Bills in one figure. From 28 nights the rate includes electricity, gas, water, fibre Wi-Fi, council tax, the TV licence, parking and gym access.
• No tenancy paperwork. A serviced let is not an assured shorthold tenancy, so there is no guarantor, no agency fee and no six-week deposit. A standard cleaning and security deposit is shown at booking.
• A proper home. A full kitchen, a washing machine, a living area and a bed with fresh linen, not one room.

Stays shorter than 28 nights still get weekly discounts automatically at checkout, so a two- or three-week gap is covered too.

What guests say

Several reviews on this site come from people who stayed while buying a home in the area. They are specific about why it worked:

“We needed a place to stay while waiting on the final stage of our house purchase. Flexiestays was a brilliant option for us. 3 months at a very decent price, free off road parking, great location in the centre of town without feeling loud and we never had an issue with other guests.” (Joshua, Trustpilot)

“Moved to the area and stayed while purchasing property. Very flexible regarding duration of stay. 2 months. We stayed in 2 different apartments. Both lovely.” (Paul, Trustpilot)

Paul stayed in two apartments, which is worth knowing about: if your stay has to stretch and your apartment is already booked for the new dates, the team will offer another apartment, in the same building where possible. Read more on the long stays reviews page.

Before you book: five questions to settle

1. How many bedrooms? A family moving together usually needs two. Tower House has two- and three-bedroom family apartments; Cliff Heights and Cliff Manor have two-bedroom apartments with a balcony.
2. Where do you need to be? Near the new house, the school, the station or work? Each building’s page on this site lists walking times. Start from the hotels page.
3. How many vehicles? Parking is in the monthly rate. Studios and one-bedroom apartments take one vehicle, two-bedroom apartments two. Ask first if you have more, or a van.
4. Will you work from the apartment? Many apartments have a desk. Ask which ones.
5. Pets? Most apartments do not take pets; the exact terms for your booking are shown at checkout, so ask the team before you book. Registered assistance dogs are welcome by prior arrangement. The help centre explains the pets policy.

Your belongings

The apartments are furnished and equipped, so you need what you would pack for a long trip, not a removal van. Most people moving house put their furniture into storage and bring clothes, work kit and a few boxes. If you want to bring furniture or equipment of your own into the apartment, ask the team first.

Moving in, and moving on

Your arrival instructions and access code arrive three days before check-in, and you can let yourself in any time from 3pm. There is no key handover to arrange around a removal day.

When your completion date is confirmed, give notice in writing by email or message. The team confirms your final night and any adjustment to your last invoice. Check-out is by 10am, and your deposit is returned after check-out, less any damage or extra cleaning.

If the date moves again, tell the team as soon as you know. Extensions are easiest before your current month ends, when the apartment can still be held for you.

Paying

Monthly stays are billed monthly, in advance, through the Flexiestays website and its Stripe checkout. Every payment comes with an invoice. Monthly bookings have their own cancellation terms, shown at checkout before you pay and in your confirmation. For shorter gaps, the 25% option can secure the dates without paying everything up front.

Moving with children

If you are moving with a family, the extra bedroom and the kitchen matter more than anything else. Our guide to Bournemouth with children covers which buildings suit families and what is nearby.

The help centre explains extending or ending a long stay early in full.