How to Rent a Home for the Super Bowl

Serious football fans want to get up close to the Super Bowl, but staying in a hotel is often cramped, impersonal and without the luxuries of home. Renting out someone else's home for the Super Bowl can be a great way to enjoy the sporting event with your favorite game day buddies. If you begin planning early and comparison shop before you commit, you can find a house that fits your needs and budget.

Instructions

    • 1

      Check Super Bowl and sporting event home rental sites (see Resources) for accommodations large enough for your group. Begin looking early and check back regularly to get an idea of the price range that's out there. View pictures of listings and email anyone who has a listing that seems like a good match.

    • 2

      Ask homeowners how many bathrooms there are and what type of kitchen equipment, refrigerator space and laundry facilities you can expect. Ask about parking, particularly if you have a large party with several cars. Determine what amenities the house offers, from a large flat screen television to a backyard swimming pool, game room or video game system. You'll want activities for down time.

    • 3

      Comparison shop by checking local sites like Craigslist that offer a vacation rental or house swap category. These sites may offer better prices since they're free for users (the sporting events sites are not), so there's a likelihood the savings get passed on to you. Ask the same questions to get an idea of what's offered.

    • 4

      Request a rental agreement from anyone with a good house that you are seriously considering renting. This agreement spells out the homeowner's obligations to you (and yours to them). Review the document to determine what type of cleaning you need to do before you leave, where you obtain the key, what condition you expect to find the property in and how your security deposit will be refunded after the stay. If something seems suspicious or unsatisfactory, ask the owner whether you can change it. If you cannot, don't rent that place.

    • 5

      Rent out a home that offers the right space and amenities for your party. Send a deposit via check or credit card and complete the rental agreement. Keep a photocopy of the rental agreement for yourself before returning it to the homeowner.