Screwed up where to stay - what options am I missing?

[MateyBubble]

Have namechanged as have posted a lot of details under other name!

We are about to embark on a massive renovation project (house in a terrible state) that will take a minimum of 6 months. Builder has insisted we all move out (have a dog etc and place needs ripping apart). We had several quotes from different builders and not one would do the work with us still living there.

There was nowhere to rent near us that would take the dog. We looked and looked and got nothing. I still need to live in public transport distance of my work and the dog has a local walker he goes to. We also won't have a car come October so really need to stay in easy distance of the house so we can get there easily for the builders. We looked at Airbnb and the only one that was near us that took the dog was a 1 bed place that cost a fortune but said it specialised in long term stays for people either relocating or having work done on their house.

Perfect we thought and we booked it. We've just got here and it's so small. The stairs that lead to the bedroom are utterly lethal - incredibly narrow and steep. Bathroom is not en suite but downstairs so any night time wees feel like a trip to break both legs. There's no storage at all so all our stuff is piled up everywhere. I think we will probably manage for 6 months but it is miserable and dp, who has arthritis in his knee, already wants to leave but there is nowhere else we can go!

Is there an accommodation option I haven't thought of?

You will get used to the stairs, hire a storage locker nearby and visit it when you need stuff, putting other stuff away. You can cope for a few months. The other option is ditch your dog and give yourself more choices but I guess that's less attractive!

Thanks that's a good idea on the storage - we are definitely going to need one. Movers have packed up the house and they are storing the main stuff till we move back! Argh!

Can't help with the accommodation options. Other than a static caravan which would also be cramped and lack storage, not really sure there is anything you haven't explored.

Storage or friend's garage to cut down to the bare essentials. Or buy a decent shed at your current home to put it all into.

For the night time pee, you could buy a porta potty of the type you get in caravans or motor homes. Not ideal but will save going downstairs for a pee in the middle of the night

The stairs that lead to the bedroom are utterly lethal - incredibly narrow and steep. Bathroom is not en suite but downstairs so any night time wees feel like a trip to break both legs. There's no storage at all so all our stuff is piled up everywhere
Can you reconfigure so downstairs is a bedsit and upstairs is the storage?

I would happily go to a static but can't find one within easy reach of us sadly

If this was my Airbnb I would definitely have the lounge on the top and the bedroom lower down to avoid all the steps but maybe that's because we are old farts!

@MateyBubble if you’re staying 6 months you could ask the owners if you could swap the furniture.

Could anyone take the dog for you? It might give you more options.

I think the poster who suggested a caravan was suggesting one in the garden of your house which you’re renovating. Not my area of expertise but I assume you rent them for a while and link up to your own water and electricity.

Caravan on your own property?

We have a touring caravan that we hired to a local family for a month to bridge a gap in their renovations. Might be worth asking on Facebook.

You really have 2 options:

Find a place that would let you rent with your pet.
Or pretend you don’t have a pet and move the dog in after a few weeks.
It’s not like you need the landlord’s reference in the future.