Help Center/FAQs by Corporate Housing by Owner

Getting Started advertising with CHBO

Getting Started with CHBO

Below is key information to help you navigate CHBO, including how to edit your listing, handle housing requests, screen tenants, set up payment methods, and understand lease agreements. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!

How to Edit Your Listing

To update your property details, follow this guide: Edit Your Listing

Direct Inquiries vs. General Housing Requests

CHBO provides renters with two ways to find a property:

• Direct Inquiry: Renters can contact you directly via email or phone from your listing, usually indicating they have reviewed your terms and are interested.
• General Housing Request: Renters submit a request for all properties in a specific area. This feature streamlines the search process by allowing corporate renters to quickly find suitable housing without manually checking availability calendars. If your property fits the renter’s criteria, you can respond with your housing options.

Tip: Verify your phone number so renters see it as "verified." You can also opt to receive text message notifications for direct inquiries or general requests.

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You Have an Interested Renter—Now What?

Step 1: Send the Rental Application

Your rental application can be found under Resources → Tools and Documents → Application in your CHBO dashboard.

Step 2: Tenant Screening

1. Sign up or log into your free MySmartMove account: CHBO SmartMove Sign-Up

2. Complete Your Profile & Add Your Property
After signing up, you’ll receive a confirmation email with instructions.

3. Initiate a Tenant Screening Request

• Obtain the renter’s email address and start a screening request.
• The tenant receives an email request to process the screening and chooses to accept or decline.
• If accepted, you receive their credit & criminal history report and leasing recommendations.
• Based on this, you decide whether to approve or decline the applicant.

Note: If the applicant declines, their rental application is canceled.

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Accepting Payments

You can use PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, Square, or any other trusted payment platform for tenant billing.

Zelle
Venmo
Square

When a Company Pays for the Stay

If a company is covering the tenant’s rent, take extra steps to verify legitimacy:

• Ask for bank references, Tax ID, D&B number, and company references—then verify them.
• Contact the local business they are visiting to confirm the relationship.
• Check if they use a work email (e.g., @companyname.com) and Google the domain.
• Request a reference from a previous property they stayed at and follow up.
• Google the company, call their main phone line, and ask for your contact.
• Look up the business via the Secretary of State’s website to confirm tax filings and legitimacy.

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Lease Agreement

If you'd like to use CHBO's lease agreement, a template is available under Resources in your CHBO Dashboard.

Customize the document to fit your property specifics, and once a renter is confirmed, fill in their details and stay dates.

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