What Is a Pied-a-Terre?

A pied-a-terre is a small secondary home that residents keep for part-time use. Pied-a-terre is French for “foot to the ground.” The term itself dates to the 1700s, referring to temporary lodging often associated with soldiers traveling on horseback. English speakers adopted the term in the early 1800s, using it to refer to secondary homes.  

Pieds-a-terre are most common in large cities like Manhattan, but any secondary space could be considered a pied-a-terre. Maybe even your old room in your childhood home if you visit often enough (if so, go ahead and start referring to it as your pied-a-terre … you’re welcome).

There are practical and financial factors to consider before you decide whether a pied-a-terre is right for you. Maintaining two residences is not easy, but for some lifestyles, it can be beneficial. Use this guide to help determine whether a pied-a-terre fits your needs.

When You Might Consider a Pied-a-Terre

A pied-a-terre could make sense in some situations. Perhaps you work in one state but live in another or you travel to the same destination multiple times a year for work. A pied-a-terre could save you money in the long run, especially if you consistently pay for hotel stays and take-out dinners. Plus, you could leave your belongings in the space, making frequent trips easier. While pieds-a-terre come with additional monthly expenses, they can be beneficial for some renters. Here are a few more examples of why a pied-a-terre could be right for you:

• Moving to a new location- If you plan on traveling back and forth for a while, a pied-a-terre can help you get settled in the area while you look for a job and permanent housing.
• Long daily commutes- If you live in a busy city with heavy traffic, a pied-a-terre could be helpful on days you have to commute. Having a secondary home close to work could also free up weekday hours so you can have a more relaxed evening after the workday.
• Split time between cities- If you spend the summer months in one place and the colder months in another, having a pied-a-terre can help you split time without it feeling like an extended vacation, and make each place feel more like home.
• Convenience- If you consistently travel to a specific location for leisure activities, a pied-a-terre can be more convenient than frequently traveling back and forth.
• Vacation spot- If there’s a special place you like to vacation in and you visit as often as possible, a pied-a-terre could potentially cost less over time than booking a hotel room every time you visit.

Whether one of these situations applies to you or you have a special circumstance where you need two residences, a pied-a-terre could be worth considering. Before you invest in a pied-a-terre, there are several other factors to consider before committing to two residences.

Is a Pied-a-Terre Right for You?

Having one home is a lot to keep up with. Trying to maintain two residences isn’t easy, but if you would find it a money- or time-saver, it might be worth it. Most pieds-a-terre are small – think micro-apartment, small studio, efficiency apartment, or even a room for rent.

When looking for a pied-a-terre, consider looking for a furnished apartment. This way, you won’t have to worry about finding necessary furniture like a bed or couch. Some furnished apartments even provide basic cookware and appliances like a coffee maker or a microwave.  

If you apply for a second lease, keep in mind that your existing rental may show up on your background check. While it’s fine to rent multiple apartments, your landlord will want to make sure you have enough income to support both places. If you own a home and are paying a mortgage, those costs will also be considered when you look for a pied-a-terre.

How to Find a Pied-a-Terre

Finding a pied-a-terre is like finding any apartment, with a few exceptions. Some properties might not allow an apartment to be used as a pied-a-terre, such as in some New York City co-ops. These buildings may require the apartment to be your primary residence. This is because they don’t want an apartment sitting empty most of the time, but would rather have active, present residents.  Make sure that the apartment you want to use as a pied-a-terre allows for part-time residency before signing the lease.

You might not be able to sublet your pied-a-terre, so keep this in mind as you search. Most condo and apartment communities have policies around subletting, and even if it is allowed, they may require a longer lease term (perhaps six months to a year), which could interfere with your ability to use the space yourself.  Be sure to ask the leasing agent about subletting policies if this is something you are considering.

When searching for any rental, even a pied-a-terre, be sure to find one that fits your needs. For example, if you are planning to travel with your pet, you’ll want to search for pet-friendly apartments. When thinking about what amenities you might need, consider how you’ll use the space. If you are using your pied-a-terre as a getaway destination in your favorite vacation spot, you might want a swimming pool or other luxury amenities.

Can I Afford a Pied-a-Terre?

Maintaining two residences can get expensive, but it could make financial sense and save you money in the long term in some circumstances. For example, you might be able to find a small micro or studio apartment to use as a pied-a-terre for less than it would cost over time to frequently pay for hotel rooms. The convenience of not having to pack suitcases every time you need to travel might make it worth the added expense, as well.

When looking at your budget, keep in mind that you shouldn’t spend more than 30 percent of your gross income on rent. In some cases, the apartment community might deny your application if your income doesn’t meet this threshold.

In addition to the extra rent payment, you’ll want to consider the cost of utilities and other monthly expenses like pet fees and renters insurance.

Things to Consider Before Renting a Pied-a-Terre

In addition to determining if you can afford a pied-a-terre, you’ll also want to consider whether it’s worth being responsible for two homes.

In any apartment, things inevitably break or wear out. If you are there to deal with the issue, it’s as simple as fixing it yourself or contacting maintenance. But since a pied-a-terre isn’t your primary home, situations that might require emergency maintenance when you aren’t there, such as a water leak or burst pipe, become trickier. Discuss this with your landlord to determine how and when they can enter your apartment, especially if there’s no way for them to know if you are home.

Consider finding someone to check your apartment periodically when you aren’t there. Not only does having someone coming and going make your apartment look less empty, but this person can also check to make sure all is well in your pied-a-terre. You might also want to turn off or unplug electronics when you leave your pied-a-terre for an extended period. This can cut down on expenses and may also help prevent accidents.

After you’ve weighed the benefits and drawbacks of renting a pied-a-terre, you’ll have a better idea if it’s something that could work for your situation. Bonne chance, locataire!

Find the Perfect Pied-a-Terre on Apartments.com

If you think a pied-a-terre is right for you, start your search on Apartments.com. You can search by price and square footage, making it easy to find a pied-a-terre that fits your budget and space needs. Find your second home on Apartments.com today!

This article was originally published on July 10, 2020 and has been updated.