Monthly rentals for remote workers in the Dominican Republic: an owner's guide

What does a remote worker need before committing to three months in your apartment? Not a pool or a view, at least not first. They need to know the internet holds up on a video call, the power stays on, the desk is a real desk and the neighborhood works for daily life.

If you own a furnished apartment in the Dominican Republic, monthly stays can mean fewer turnovers and steadier planning than a string of weekend guests. This guide covers who these renters are, how to set up the apartment, how to price and write the listing, and what to agree on before move-in day.

Key Takeaways

• Remote workers judge an apartment on work basics first: internet, backup power, a proper desk and good light.
• Price a monthly stay on its own terms, not as your nightly rate multiplied by thirty.
• Write the listing around a normal workday and answer the practical questions before they are asked.
• Agree on rent, deposit, utilities and house rules in writing before the renter moves in.

Table of Contents

• Who rents by the month and what they look for
• Set up the apartment for a working day
• Price and describe a monthly stay
• Offer 3, 6 and 12-month stays on SimpleStay

Who rents by the month and what they look for

Monthly renters are a different guest from vacationers. Many are remote employees, freelancers or business owners who keep a normal work schedule. Others are expats trying out a city before deciding where to settle, or Dominicans abroad spending a long season back home. The idea of remote work has made this kind of stay far more common in many countries.

What matters most to them

A vacation guest forgives a slow connection for a weekend. Someone working from your living room for twelve weeks will not. Expect questions about the internet plan, power cuts, the chair and street noise.

They also care about routine: groceries nearby, laundry and a real kitchen.

Where your apartment fits

Some renters want city services in Santo Domingo neighborhoods such as Piantini or Naco; others want to work near the beach in Las Terrenas or Cabarete. Describe your area honestly and let renters decide.

Set up the apartment for a working day

You don't need to remodel. Remove the small frictions that spoil a month.

The work essentials

• A real desk or table at working height, with a supportive chair.
• A reliable internet plan, plus a note on whether the router is on backup power.
• A planta or inverter, and a clear explanation of what it covers.
• Good light near the desk and enough outlets, with an adapter or power strip.
• Air conditioning or fans in the room where they will work.
• Blackout curtains in the bedroom for people on other time zones.

Run a speed test from the desk and note the result with the date.

Comfort for a longer stay

Monthly renters live in your apartment rather than visiting it. Provide kitchenware for real meals, a washing machine or a laundry plan, and closet space with hangers. Explain how trash and water work and who to call if something breaks.

Price and describe a monthly stay

A monthly rate should cover your costs and reflect what similar furnished apartments ask.

Build the monthly price

Follow these steps before you publish:

1. Add your fixed monthly costs. Building fees, utilities, internet, backup power and any loan payment.
2. Decide what is included. State clearly whether electricity, water, gas and internet are in the price or billed separately.
3. Compare similar apartments. Same area, same bedrooms, furnished, offered by the month.
4. Think about the term. Longer stays mean fewer gaps and cleanings, so factor that into the monthly rate.
5. Check the total against your floor. Never price below what the apartment costs you to hold.

Illustrative example. A one-bedroom apartment in Naco has US$700 in monthly costs, including internet and the condo fee. The owner sets a monthly rate of US$1,300 with electricity billed separately based on use. On a nightly basis at US$75, the same apartment would need around 18 booked nights and 18 cleanings to reach a similar total.

Write for a workday, not a holiday

Open the description with the work facts: desk, internet, backup power and noise. Then cover the kitchen, laundry and what is within walking distance. Be specific: "Desk by the window, 1.2-meter table, ergonomic chair" says more than "great for digital nomads." If you also welcome nightly guests, our guide on short-term stays or 3, 6 and 12-month rentals helps you decide how to balance both.

Offer 3, 6 and 12-month stays on SimpleStay

On SimpleStay, you can turn on long-term mode for any non-hotel listing, choose which terms to offer (3, 6 and/or 12 months) and set a monthly rate. The same listing can keep taking nightly guests between tenants. Renters find you in the Rentals tab, pick a term and a move-in date, and the app calculates the end date.

How requests work

Long-term stays are always request-to-book. You review each request and accept or decline it. SimpleStay does not ask renters for a guarantor (fiador). After you accept, you and the renter talk in the Inbox and agree rent and deposit terms directly.

SimpleStay does not process monthly rent, hold security deposits, provide leases or screen tenants. You pay the same flat US$50 a month per property, with 0% SimpleStay commission on the stay. Stripe processing, bank fees, currency conversion and taxes may apply separately.

What to agree on in writing

Before move-in, put the key points in writing with your renter:

• Monthly rent, due date and how it will be paid.
• Deposit amount, if any, and when and how it is returned.
• Which utilities are included and how the rest are split.
• Cleaning, maintenance visits and how much notice you give before entering.
• House rules, guests and the end date.

Local rules on longer rentals and the taxes on rental income can apply to you. Ask a licensed lawyer or accountant in the Dominican Republic which ones do. This article is not legal or tax advice.

A steady guest for a steady business

Remote workers want a place that works, honest information and an owner who answers. Cover the work basics, explain them clearly, and you give them a reason to stay for months. No listing can guarantee a tenant, but a well-prepared one attracts the right inquiries.

Every new SimpleStay listing comes with a free trial: 30 days, or 7 days for properties located in the United States. After that it's US$50 a month per property, with 0% SimpleStay commission. Cancel anytime.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What do remote workers look for in a monthly rental?

Reliable internet, backup power, a real desk with a good chair, good light and a quiet place to sleep. After that, a usable kitchen, laundry and daily services nearby. Answer these points clearly in your listing.

Can one listing offer both nightly and monthly stays?

Yes. On SimpleStay, any non-hotel listing can offer nightly stays, 3, 6 or 12-month stays, or both, with a nightly price, a monthly price or both. The apartment can stay open to nightly guests between long-term tenants.

Does SimpleStay collect rent or hold the deposit?

No. SimpleStay does not process monthly rent, hold deposits, provide leases or screen tenants. After you accept a request, you and the renter agree rent and deposit terms directly in the Inbox.

Does a renter need a guarantor to book a long stay?

SimpleStay does not ask renters for a guarantor (fiador). Long-term stays are always request-to-book, so you review each request and decide whether to accept it.

How much does it cost to list a monthly rental on SimpleStay?

US$50 a month per property, with 0% SimpleStay commission. New listings get a 30-day free trial, or 7 days for properties located in the United States. Stripe processing, bank fees, currency conversion and taxes may apply separately.