TDY Rentals 101
A “TDY rental”is a type of housing specifically designed for U.S. military personnel and government employees who are traveling on “Temporary Duty (TDY)” orders. But before we dive into what a TDY rental is, let’s first explain the term “TDY.”
“TDY” stands for “Temporary Duty Assignment”, a term used by the U.S. military and other government agencies to describe a temporary work assignment away from a service member’s or employee’s permanent duty station. These assignments can last from a few days to several months and often involve specialized training, missions, or temporary roles in different locations. During this time, military personnel and government employees need a place to stay that meets their requirements.
Many TDY travelers would prefer to avoid staying in on-base lodging because these accommodations are often outdated and lack the comfort and amenities most people desire during extended stays. Unfortunately, despite the convenience of platforms like “Airbnb” and “Vrbo”, military members and government employees “cannot use them for official TDY travel” because they don’t qualify for “reimbursement through the U.S. government”. This leaves travelers seeking reliable off-base housing that meets the necessary requirements for “Joint Travel Regulation (JTR)” and “Defense Travel System (DTS)” reimbursement.
That’s where “TDYHero’s TDY rentals” come in.
What is a TDY Rental?
A “TDY rental” is essentially a “mid-term rental” tailored specifically for military members and government employees on temporary duty. Unlike short-term vacation rentals or long-term leases, TDY rentals offer the perfect balance of “flexibility’ and “comfort” for service members who need to stay for a few weeks or months.
What is a Mid-Term Rental?
In the rental market, most people are familiar with “short-term rentals, like those on Airbnb or Vrbo, and long-term rentals, typically with year-long leases. But TDY travelers require something in between: a “mid-term rental (MTR).”
“Mid-term rentals” are “fully furnished” properties available for stays of 30 days or longer, offering tenants flexibility without the hassle of constantly moving. They provide the “stability of a long-term rental without the commitment of a year-long lease, making them ideal for military members on TDY orders who often need housing for **60-90 days** or more.
At TDYHero, our TDY rentals are designed to provide military professionals with “comfortable, furnished accommodations” in “safe and welcoming neighborhoods”—all while meeting “government reimbursement guidelines.” These properties typically include “utilities, high-speed internet, and laundry facilities”, ensuring a home-away-from-home experience. This makes TDY rentals a “hassle-free** option for travelers looking to avoid the limitations of on-base lodging while still complying with U.S. government travel regulations.
By offering this type of housing, TDYHero helps hosts tap into a niche market of responsible, long-term tenants who need dependable, fully furnished housing for the duration of their TDY assignment.
How Do I Decide How Much to Charge for Rent?
When setting rental rates for TDYHero properties, it’s important to find the right balance. Long-term rentals often have lower rents, which may only break even in terms of cash flow. Short-term rentals generate higher income per night but come with steep setup costs, high turnover, and ongoing management headaches. It is a full time business. Mid-term rentals—the sweet spot offered by Fox 3 Lodging—fall in between, typically bringing in 1.5 to 2 times the rent of long-term leases, without the frequent turnover and setup costs of short-term rentals.
Because TDY tenants are military professionals, they are reliable, responsible, and respectful of your property. Unlike short-term renters, these travelers are looking for comfortable, fully furnished housing for 30 days or more. Most TDY stays average 60 to 90 days, making mid-term rentals a great way to secure consistent cash flow without the hassle of constantly marketing and managing new tenants. These TDY travelers often travel alone are simply in the location to work, which can’t be said of the typical short term renter.
Rental rates for mid-term properties depend on several factors, including the local market, property size, and seasonality of the location. While short-term rentals may charge more per night, they also require constant bookings to remain profitable. By contrast, a single mid-term booking through TDYHero could fill your calendar for 3 months or more, with much less effort.
Unlike long-term rentals, which lock you into year-long agreements, mid-term rentals give you the flexibility to host a few tenants per year, ensuring steady income while keeping your calendar open for the next opportunity. The best part is you are able to manage your rental schedule easily and effectively.
Mid-Term Rentals Maximize Your Time
Focusing on mid-term rentals allows you to spend less time managing your listing compared to short-term rentals. You’ll avoid the back-and-forth of daily or weekly stays and instead focus on securing tenants for longer durations. With just a few tenants per year, you can keep your property booked, earning stable, consistent rental income while reducing turnover. The majority of TDYHero hosts already have a full time job and are not looking for a second one. Listing your property on TDYHero gives you back control of your property and reduces the vacancy headache.
With TDYHero your property is matched with responsible, professional military guests, minimizing the work of constant marketing and providing peace of mind.
Protect Your Property
Mid-term rental tenants are not vacationers—they’re military professionals temporarily assigned to your location. They treat your property as their home, leading to better care and fewer issues compared to short-term renters. Say goodbye to weekend party guests and hello to tenants who respect your property.
Because mid-term tenants stay longer, you’ll have more opportunities to access your property for maintenance, updates, and upgrades between tenants. This keeps your property in top shape and helps prevent small issues from becoming expensive problems. Unlike long-term rentals, where tenants move heavy furniture and make personal modifications, mid-term renters offer lower wear and tear, reducing the need for frequent repairs.
Rent Legally and Avoid STR Restrictions
Many cities are cracking down on short-term rentals (STRs) with regulations and taxes. By offering mid-term rentals through Fox 3 Lodging, you can avoid these restrictions altogether. Properties rented for 30 days or more are not subject to the same scrutiny as short-term rentals, and you won’t need to worry about paying additional taxes or facing restrictions imposed on platforms like Airbnb.
Additionally, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are often stricter on short-term rentals due to noise, high turnover, and neighborhood disruption. Mid-term rentals, on the other hand, provide a more stable and reliable option, keeping neighbors happy while ensuring you comply with local regulations.
Listing Your Property for Rent with TDYHero
TDYHero is the trusted leader in providing mid-term rentals for military professionals. We exclusively serve traveling military members, meaning your property is listed on a platform that understands and supports the needs of this specific type of traveler. No other rental platform can offer this kind of expertise or focus on long-term government-approved travel.
Why list with general short-term or long-term platforms that treat mid-term rentals as an afterthought? By choosing TDYHero, you’re working with a company that specializes in mid-term rentals and understands the needs of both “hosts” and “military travelers.”
Additionally, what sets Fox 3 Lodging apart is our commitment to giving hosts full control. We don’t charge booking fees or commissions, and you maintain complete authority over your rental property—from setting your prices to choosing your tenants. With unlimited access to tenant inquiries and information, you’ll have everything you need to make informed decisions.
Resources for Landlords Interested in Mid-Term Rentals
At TDYHero, we are dedicated to helping our hosts succeed. Our platform offers a wealth of resources to support you in becoming a successful mid-term rental host. Explore our resources to learn more about the incredible opportunity to serve military professionals while maximizing your property’s potential.
Who TDY Hero Is
TDYHero was founded by Charlie, an Air Force fighter pilot who experienced firsthand the challenges and frustrations of the short-term rental market. As both a property owner and military service member, he saw the constant turnover, management headaches, and unpredictability associated with platforms like Airbnb and Furnished Finder. The hustle of frequent bookings and guest management detracted from the simplicity that should accompany mid-term stays. He realized there was a better way—one that would meet the unique needs of traveling service members while providing property owners with stable, dependable, long-term renters. Thus, TDYHero was born, specifically designed to connect military personnel with quality long-term accommodations.
At its core, TDYHero is a travel placement agency that partners exclusively with the Department of Defense (DoD). Its mission is simple: to provide military personnel with flexible and luxurious mid-term lodging while offering property owners a hassle-free experience. Unlike traditional short-term rental platforms, TDYHero fills a unique niche by focusing solely on service members and their lodging needs during Temporary Duty (TDY) or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) assignments. This specialization makes the company an invaluable resource for both military travelers and property owners alike.
One of the key challenges that military personnel face when traveling is finding lodging that qualifies for reimbursement by the U.S. government. Platforms like Airbnb, Furnished Finder, and others may not meet the specific criteria required by the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR), making it difficult for service members to get reimbursed for their stays. TDYHero steps in to fill this gap. It works closely with both Hosts and military personnel to ensure that all accommodations are fully compliant with JTR and Department of Defense standards, guaranteeing 100% reimbursement for service members
Why Hosts Trust TDYHero
For property Hosts, TDYHero offers an unmatched opportunity to host highly responsible and dependable military guests. Unlike many hosting platforms that charge fees and require long-term commitments, TDYHero operates with a completely Host-friendly model. Partnered Hosts pay ZERO service fees, management fees, or hosting charges. This means that Hosts can enjoy the benefits of working with a premier lodging placement service at no additional cost to them.
One of the standout features of TDYHero is the flexibility it provides to Hosts. Unlike some rental platforms that require lengthy contracts or exclusive property management agreements, TDYHero allows Hosts to remain in full control of their property. Hosts are never locked into long-term agreements; they only commit to hosting for the specific dates contracted with TDYHero. Outside of those dates, they are free to manage their property as they see fit, including securing outside reservations. This flexibility is highly appealing to property owners who may want to accommodate different types of guests at different times.
The payment process is another area where TDYHero excels. For Hosts, there’s no worrying about payment delays or uncertainty. Payments are secured and funded by the U.S. government, and TDYHero ensures that Hosts are paid upfront each month for the duration of the guest’s stay. This financial stability, combined with the reliability of hosting military members, makes TDYHero an ideal choice for property owners looking for low-risk, long-term bookings.
Why Service Members Trust TDYHero
From the perspective of military travelers, TDYHero offers peace of mind by guaranteeing quality, luxurious accommodations that are fully reimbursable. In fact, TDYHero offers a 100% money back guarantee their stay will be reimbursed by DTS or their local finance office. Service members can choose from a range of properties that meet their specific needs, whether they are traveling alone, with family, or even with pets. The properties listed by TDYHero are carefully vetted to ensure that they are located in desirable neighborhoods, and they come with various amenities and perks that enhance the overall stay. With a strong emphasis on providing a seamless and stress-free lodging experience, TDYHero has quickly become the go-to solution for service members seeking housing during TDY or PCS assignments.
The success of TDYHero can be attributed to its unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service. Whether it’s dealing with military personnel or Hosts, the company goes above and beyond to ensure that both parties have a positive experience. Their hands-on approach simplifies the entire lodging process, from initial booking to final payment. This customer-centric approach has earned the company a reputation as the DoD’s premier travel placement agency for military personnel.
In addition to its practical benefits, TDYHero also offers a sense of community and support. By focusing exclusively on service members, the company fosters an environment where military personnel feel valued and appreciated during their travels. This specialized focus ensures that every detail, from lodging arrangements to financial reimbursement, aligns with the unique needs of the military.