How to snag a short-term Hamptons rental

By Leah Hochbaum Rosner | July 14, 2015 - 3:59PM

Whether you're looking to book a last-minute Hamptons getaway for this summer, or are already planning for next summer, here’s how you should handle the search:

Where you should look: Some popular sites for Hamptons owners to list their places are VRBO and HomeAway. (There’s also always Airbnb, but it tends to be used more by younger homeowners and buyers.) Prices on these sites range from around $200 to a few thousand dollars a night, or between a few thousand dollars and nearly $20,000 for weekly rates, depending on location, size and available amenities.
Keep in mind: Rentals of two weeks or less are considered illegal in most Hamptons locales, and many owners need to get a permit for the set-up to be strictly on the up and up. Although these rules are hard to enforce and would probably only be problematic for the landlord, if you abide by them, neighbors will probably be less likely to call the cops on that loud party you’re throwing on Saturday night.
How to look: Planning to rent for a week? No need to schlep out to the Hamptons and physically look for a place. Just turn on your laptop. And if you can, try to find out if your prospective landlord is experienced at the summer rental game or if it’s his first time. Things will probably go more smoothly with a veteran landlord, so go with one if you can.
Don’t forget the beach pass: If you’re planning on spending some of your time in the Hamptons at the beach — and you probably are — remember that most Hamptons area beaches require special parking passes, which cost $375 for the season, and usually sell out before the start of the summer. Day passes are an option, but they tend to run out by the morning, too. So if you’re planning to party every night and sleep late in the mornings, you might not be able to enjoy the sand and surf. Or you could always try biking to the beach instead.

For more, read “Hamptons a la carte: How to Pull Off a Short-Term Rental on the East End.”

In Case You Missed It: Every so often, BrickUnderground digs through the archives to find the best advice our experts have shared through the years.

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