At $1,295 a month, Standby is a more affordable option than Landing’s Standard offering, which carries an annual fee of $199 plus monthly rent. In contrast, the US’s median rental price is $1,942 per month, as of February 2023. Standby members can access furnished flats in 375 cities across the country. Landing manages all rentals, which come with a fully equipped kitchen, office, and wi-fi.
Standby provides cheaper rent for premium housing, but apartments remain available for Standard subscribers, too. This means that if a Standard customer wants to book a flat, the Standby occupant is given a three-day notice, and then transferred free of charge to a different accommodation. Standby members can also opt to relocate by notifying Landing two weeks in advance (without any fees), or three days before with a $150 cleaning charge.
This concept has global appeal. In the Netherlands, real estate managers Ad Hoc and Interveste have been offering anti-squatting deals (or property guardianship) since the country’s 2010 ban on the practice. This housing model aims to prevent squatters from occupying empty buildings (like redundant schools or offices), while residents pay a small amount of rent per month (between €150-300/$160-320, compared to the €1,184/$1,259 median fee). There’s also a flexible two-week notice period. Likewise, in the UK, London-based Live in Guardians offers a similar service.
Globally, the number of digital nomads is predicted to exceed one billion by 2035 (The Telegraph, 2022). With 18.9 million Americans planning to move due to remote working, flexible accommodations could offer a temporary solution for many.
For more, see Meet the Anywhere Citizens.