Relocating To Venice: Furnished Leasing While You Shop

December 18, 2025

Thinking about moving to Venice but not ready to buy on day one? A furnished short-term lease can give you a comfortable home base while you explore micro-neighborhoods, tour listings, and move through escrow. You get time to test-drive walkability, parking, and daily rhythms before you commit. In this guide, you’ll learn the main furnished leasing options, what they typically cost in Venice, key rules to know, and how to time your lease with financing or a 1031 exchange. Let’s dive in.

Why a furnished lease works

A furnished lease solves the immediate housing question when you land in Los Angeles. You can unpack, settle in, and focus on touring.

It also gives you first-hand insight. Living locally for a few months lets you compare parking, noise, and commute patterns in areas like Abbot Kinney, the Boardwalk, Oakwood, and the Marina-adjacent blocks.

Finally, it is a practical base for the buying process. You are close for inspections, appraisals, and quick showings, which helps you act fast in a competitive market.

Lease options in Venice

Corporate or managed furnished apartments

These are professionally managed homes and apartments with furniture, kitchenware, and Wi‑Fi. Minimums are often 30 to 90 days. Expect transparent monthly pricing and streamlined check-in and check-out.

Best for: turn-key convenience, predictable terms, and included utilities.

Local furnished leases with landlords

Many owners offer furnished homes for 1 to 12 months, or month-to-month after an initial term. Security deposits are common, and rents are often higher than long-term unfurnished leases.

Best for: more residential options and unique homes across Venice’s pockets.

Vacation-rental platforms

Nightly and weekly stays are flexible, but Los Angeles regulates very short stays. Availability and legal status vary by property. These can carry higher nightly rates and added fees for cleaning and services.

Best for: very short stays or gap weeks between move-out and closing.

Subleases and lease transfers

Subleases can be cost-effective but require landlord consent and careful review. Protections may be limited if paperwork is informal.

Best for: opportunistic deals when timing and terms are verified in writing.

Terms to review closely

Short-term furnished rentals move fast in Venice. Read before you sign and confirm the details in writing.

Minimum stay: Commonly 30 to 90 days, with some options up to 6 to 12 months.
Rent premium: Furnished short-term leases usually cost more than long-term unfurnished options. The premium can be meaningful and may include utilities.
Security deposit: Often 1 to 2 months’ rent. Some providers offer damage-insurance alternatives.
Utilities and services: Clarify what is included, such as electricity, water, trash, Wi‑Fi, and basic cable.
Cleaning and turnover fees: Typical for stays under 90 days or vacation-style listings.
Extensions and early termination: Ask about automatic month-to-month conversions, notice periods, and break fees. A 30 to 60 day notice is common.
Guests and subletting: Review visitor and subletting rules, especially if you plan to host for extended periods.
Parking and storage: Parking is scarce in Venice. Confirm assigned spaces, costs, street-permit zones, and storage for bikes, surfboards, or moving boxes.
Pet policy: Many furnished options have stricter pet rules or extra deposits.
Paperwork and proof of funds: Expect a government ID and income or funds verification, even for month-to-month leases.

What it costs by area

Rents shift with season and demand, but these ranges can guide your budget. Pricing typically reflects proximity to the beach and Abbot Kinney, walkability, amenities, and whether utilities and parking are included.

Beachfront and Abbot Kinney corridor: Top-of-market pricing
- Studio: approximately $2,500 to $4,000+ per month
- 1BR: approximately $3,500 to $6,000+ per month
- 2BR: approximately $5,000 to $9,000+ per month
1 to 3 blocks inland from the beach: Premium, slightly lower
- Studio: approximately $2,000 to $3,500 per month
- 1BR: approximately $3,000 to $5,000 per month
- 2BR: approximately $4,000 to $7,000 per month
Oakwood, Silver Strand, east Venice, small house pockets: More variability
- Studio/1BR: approximately $1,800 to $3,500 per month
- 2BR: approximately $3,500 to $6,000 per month
Marina Peninsula and near Marina del Rey: Close to water, similar to 1 to 3 blocks inland pricing; parking or marina access can push prices higher.

Short-term nightly platforms usually cost more on a monthly equivalent but deliver maximum flexibility. Venice generally sits above Los Angeles’s citywide average due to its coastal location and demand.

Local rules and practical realities

Short-term rental regulation: The City of Los Angeles regulates stays under 30 days. Hosts typically need to register and may owe transient occupancy tax. If you are booking very short stays, confirm that the unit is authorized and compliant.
Tenant protections: California and Los Angeles have rules for deposits, disclosures, and evictions. Ask for all lease addenda and move-out terms in writing.
Parking and permits: Expect high parking demand. Ask about assigned spaces, guest parking, and residential permit requirements.
Coastal factors: Salt air impacts maintenance. In some areas, it is worth asking about ventilation and moisture management. If you plan a longer stay or a purchase, ask about flood considerations.
Neighborhood rhythms: Boardwalk crowds and nightlife near Abbot Kinney can raise noise and congestion at certain times. Visit at different hours to see if it suits your lifestyle.

Time your lease with your purchase

A smart lease plan reduces stress and rush fees when your perfect home hits the market.

Get pre-approved before you arrive: This helps you act fast and avoid wasting lease time.
Match lease length to the buying arc: Typical escrows for financed purchases run about 30 to 45 days after an accepted offer. Many relocating buyers choose a 60 to 90 day furnished lease to cover search time and escrow, then extend if needed. Out-of-state buyers often prefer 3 to 6 months.
Build in a buffer: Set your lease end date at least two weeks after your expected closing to allow for inspection items, scheduling movers, and any lender delays.
Ask for flexibility: A month-to-month extension option or a clear early-termination buyout can protect you if your purchase completes early or late.

If you are using a 1031 exchange

The 1031 clock is strict. From the sale of your relinquished property, you have 45 days to identify potential replacement properties and 180 days to close. A furnished lease in Venice can be an efficient local base while you identify and perform due diligence. Remember, replacement property is generally for investment use and the exchange must be handled by a qualified intermediary, with guidance from your CPA or tax attorney.

Sample timing scenarios

Out-of-state buyer with financing: Secure a 2 to 3 month furnished lease with an option to extend month-to-month. Tour intensively during the first 30 to 45 days.
1031 investor: Begin a short-term stay immediately after your sale closes. Start the identification process right away and plan for up to six months of housing flexibility as you move toward closing within 180 days.
All-cash buyer: You may be able to close in 7 to 14 days, but a 2 to 4 week lease buffer still helps with inspections and move-in logistics.

Your Venice house-hunt checklist

Use this to stay organized and make the most of your time on the ground.

Before you book

Get pre-approved if you plan to finance.
Prioritize micro-neighborhoods: Abbot Kinney, Boardwalk, Oakwood, Silver Strand, Marina Peninsula, east Venice.
Arrange virtual tours to shortlist homes before you arrive.

When reviewing a lease

Minimum stay and extension terms, including notice period and renewal rate.
Early-termination process and any break fees.
Furnishings inventory and condition. Are linens and kitchenware included?
Which utilities are included and how they are billed.
Parking details: assigned space, guest parking, and any permit needs.
Cleaning or turnover fees and frequency.
Visitor, subletting, and storage policies.
Renter’s insurance requirements and liability terms.
Confirmation that very short stays are legally authorized, if applicable.

During your stay

Tour homes at different times of day to assess noise, parking, and traffic.
Track what you notice at each showing: sunlight, airflow, views, and any moisture issues.
Keep records of lease communications and receipts in case you need to extend or negotiate.

Moving and closing

Book movers early. Venice has steady demand and limited access windows.
Align your move-in date with seller possession and your lender’s closing timeline.
Confirm how keys, parking passes, and any HOA access will transfer on closing day.

How The Malibu Life helps

You deserve a smooth transition. As a boutique luxury team focused on Malibu and the Westside, we combine local Venice knowledge with concierge service to streamline your move. We help you:

Identify the right micro-neighborhood fit based on how you live day to day.
Coordinate a furnished lease that aligns with your search, escrow, and move-in timeline.
Prioritize showings, including off-market opportunities where available.
Navigate pricing, terms, and timing, whether you are financing, paying cash, or operating within 1031 deadlines in partnership with your qualified intermediary and tax advisor.

When you are ready to relocate, we will help you land softly and shop with confidence. Connect with The Malibu Life to start a tailored plan.

FAQs

How long should a furnished lease be when buying in Venice?

Plan for 60 to 90 days to cover search and a typical 30 to 45 day escrow, with an option to extend month-to-month if needed.

What are average monthly costs near Abbot Kinney and the beach?

Expect a premium: studios around $2,500 to $4,000+, 1BRs $3,500 to $6,000+, and 2BRs $5,000 to $9,000+ per month, depending on finishes and services.

Are very short Airbnb-style stays legal in Venice, Los Angeles?

The city regulates stays under 30 days and requires registration and potential transient occupancy tax, so confirm a listing’s authorization before booking.

How do I align a lease with a 1031 exchange timeline?

Remember the 45-day identification and 180-day closing deadlines; secure a flexible short-term lease as a local base while you identify and close through a qualified intermediary.