What Are Doctor-to-Doctor Rentals?
Doctor-to-doctor rentals are short-term or vacation rentals facilitated between physicians—a marketplace where medical professionals can connect directly.
These rentals typically fall into two categories:
Vacation rentals are properties rented for leisure travel—beach houses, ski cabins, or city apartments for conferences.
Work-assignment housing serves physicians on locum tenens contracts, rotations, or temporary positions. These are often 30+ day stays and lean more toward furnished monthly rentals.
Why Physicians Like Renting From Physicians
The pitch centers on a few core benefits:
Shared expectations. Both parties understand medical careers. A host who's been on call knows you might need a quiet space to decompress.
Privacy and professionalism. Many doctors prefer keeping their personal lives private. Renting within a professional community can feel lower-stakes.
Assumed reliability. Physicians have invested heavily in their careers. Someone with that much to lose is probably a responsible renter.
These benefits are real—but they require "trust, but verify." Professional status alone doesn't guarantee good behavior. Verification systems on physician-only platforms are often less robust than major rental marketplaces, so due diligence matters more, not less.
Where to Find Physician-to-Physician Rentals
Doc to Doc Rentals
Doc to Doc Rentals is a dedicated web platform for physician-to-physician vacation rentals. Hosts can list properties ranging from condos to entire homes, with options for short-term and extended stays.
Pricing for hosts:
- Basic plan: $12.99/month (unlimited property listings)
- Premium plan: $24.99/month (DFY property listings; includes 1 featured listing and their team lists your properties)
- Co-hosting: 20% of monthly gross revenue (complete property co-hosting)
Important to know: Doc to Doc Rentals is a listing platform, not a transaction processor. According to their FAQ, "Our platform does not handle payments or transactions. Renters and hosts are responsible for arranging payment methods and handling all financial transactions directly." This means you'll need to coordinate payment, verify the other party, and handle any disputes independently.
Physician-Only Facebook Groups
Private Facebook groups allow members to post properties or housing requests directly. The upside: peer-to-peer connections with informal vetting. The downside: no platform protections whatsoever—treat every transaction as if you're dealing with a stranger.
Other Platforms That Overlap
Several platforms serve similar audiences:
RotatingRoom was designed for medical students seeking housing during clinical rotations but has expanded to include travel nurses and physicians. Listings are typically furnished sublets for 30+ day stays near hospitals. Travelers can browse and inquire for free; hosts pay a flat subscription starting at $15/month (billed annually) or $25/month on a month-to-month basis—with no service fees or transaction fees beyond that.
Furnished Finder focuses on 30+ day furnished rentals for traveling professionals, with travel nurses as a primary audience. Listing fees are $179/year per property (increasing to $199 on January 2, 2026); hotel or apartment complex listings are $750/year. No booking fees or commissions—transactions happen directly between hosts and guests. The platform offers tenant screening through KeyCheck, powered by TransUnion SmartMove.
SabbaticalHomes serves academics and professionals seeking extended-stay housing. Home listing fees range from $65/year (verified academics) to $95/year (non-academics), with a $175/year tier for real estate agents and property managers. A $50 "made-a-match" fee applies when a rental is finalized. Popular among physician-researchers, though not healthcare-specific.
Doctor-to-Doctor Rentals vs. Airbnb/VRBO
| Feature | Physician-Only Platforms | Airbnb/VRBO |
|---|---|---|
| Host fees | Flat subscription ($13–$25/month typical) | Varies by platform and model |
| Guest fees | Usually none beyond rental cost | Varies (service fees apply) |
| Payment handling | Not processed by platform; arranged directly | Secure payment through platform |
| Cancellation protection | Negotiated individually | Standardized policies; refunds through platform |
| Identity verification | Varies; often relies on stated profession | Identity verification + reservation screening |
| Damage protection | None; arranged between parties | Up to $3M through AirCover for Hosts |
| Liability insurance | None provided | Up to $1M Host Liability Insurance |
| Dispute resolution | None; handled privately | Platform mediation available |
Note: Airbnb's AirCover includes identity verification, reservation screening, $3M damage protection, and $1M liability coverage.
The trade-off: physician-only platforms offer lower fees but shift risk management entirely to you. Major platforms cost more but provide infrastructure for payments, verification, and disputes.
The Physician-Only Rental Safety Checklist
Before You Book (For Guests)
Verify the property exists. Request a live video walkthrough before sending any money. Scammers can easily steal photos from legitimate listings. A real host should be willing to walk you through the property on a video call.
Verify the host's identity independently. Don't rely on stated credentials. An NPI number is public information—anyone can look one up on the NPPES database and claim it as their own. CMS explicitly states that NPI issuance "does not ensure or validate that the Health Care Provider is Licensed or Credentialed." Better approaches: confirm employment through hospital directories, connect on LinkedIn, or request a video call.
Get a written rental agreement. Even a simple document should cover: dates, total cost, payment schedule, cancellation terms, security deposit, and what happens if something goes wrong.
Never wire money. The FTC warns that wiring money is "like sending cash—once you send it, you usually can't get it back." Scammers specifically request wire transfers because they're nearly impossible to reverse. Use a payment method that creates a clear paper trail and, when possible, includes a dispute process—such as credit cards (which offer chargeback rights) or checks.
Before You Host (For Property Owners)
Verify your guest's identity. The same principles apply in reverse. Confirm they are who they say they are through independent verification, not just what they tell you.
Require a security deposit. Handle this through a method that documents the transaction clearly.
Have a written agreement. Specify house rules, check-in/check-out times, maximum occupancy, and your policy for damages or early departure.
Red Flags
- Pressure to pay quickly or via wire transfer
- Reluctance to do a video call or provide verifiable professional details
- Listings with prices dramatically below market rate
- Requests to move communication off-platform immediately
- Payment requests split across multiple recipients or sent internationally
If You're a Physician Host: Insurance Reality Check
Your standard homeowners policy probably won't cover you. The NAIC warns that "most homeowners or dwelling insurance policies are not designed to cover accidents arising from short-term rentals."
Physician platforms don't provide protection. Unlike Airbnb (which offers up to $3M in damage protection and $1M in liability coverage through AirCover), physician-only platforms typically offer no insurance coverage.
What to do: Contact your insurance agent before your first rental. Options may include a rental endorsement, landlord policy, or on-demand rental insurance.
This is not legal or insurance advice—coverage varies by insurer, state, and situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a doctor-to-doctor rental?
A rental arrangement between physicians through dedicated platforms or private groups, with the idea that shared professional backgrounds create mutual trust.
Are physician-only rental platforms safer than Airbnb?
Not necessarily. Major platforms offer identity verification, reservation screening, secure payments, and protection programs like AirCover. Most physician-only platforms rely on self-reported status and don't process payments or provide insurance.
How can I verify that someone is really a physician?
Don't rely solely on NPI numbers—these are publicly accessible. Confirm through hospital directories, LinkedIn or Doximity, and consider a video call. State medical board lookups can confirm active licensure.
What payment methods should I use?
Avoid wire transfers. Use a payment method that creates a clear paper trail and, when possible, includes a dispute process—such as credit cards or checks. Document every transaction.
Do I need special insurance to rent out my home?
Possibly. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude short-term rental activity. Contact your insurance agent about rental endorsements or landlord policies.
Are there physician rental platforms that handle payments securely?
Most physician-only platforms—including Doc to Doc Rentals—do not process payments. If secure payment processing matters, mainstream platforms like Airbnb or VRBO remain the standard.
What should I do if something goes wrong?
Without platform-mediated dispute resolution, options are limited to direct negotiation, small claims court, or legal action. Written agreements and thorough verification upfront are essential.
Sources
- Doc to Doc Rentals Membership Plans: https://doctodocrentals.com/membership-plans/
- Doc to Doc Rentals FAQ: https://doctodocrentals.com/faq/
- RotatingRoom How It Works for Hosts: https://rotatingroom.com/how-it-works/hosts
- Furnished Finder Subscription Pricing: https://support.furnishedfinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/35312669359515
- Furnished Finder Tenant Screening (KeyCheck/TransUnion SmartMove): https://support.furnishedfinder.com/hc/en-us/articles/34802018529307-What-Is-Tenant-Screening
- SabbaticalHomes Pricing: https://www.sabbaticalhomes.com/pricing
- CMS NPPES/NPI Files (licensing disclaimer): https://download.cms.gov/nppes/NPI_Files.html
- FTC Wire Transfer Scams: https://consumer.ftc.gov/all-scams/wire-transfer-scams
- NAIC Consumer Insight on Home-Sharing Insurance: https://content.naic.org/article/consumer-insight-renting-out-your-home-you-need-insurance-coverage-home-sharing-rentals
- Airbnb AirCover for Hosts: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/3142
- Airbnb Service Fees: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1857
- Vrbo Service Fee: https://help.vrbo.com/articles/what-is-the-service-fee
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, insurance, or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to your situation.
