Posted on Friday, May 01 2026
In June of last year, Bob and his family experienced an unexpected house fire, suddenly forcing them from their home and into uncertainty. Beyond the immediate distress of the event, Bob faced another challenge: finding a temporary home that could accommodate his wife, two children and their family dog in Scarborough, Ontario.
For many families facing a sudden displacement, the goal isn’t just to find a place to stay; it’s to find a safe space that maintains a sense of normalcy, and keeps you close to where you need to be.
For Bob and his family, this meant finding a long-term rental that was “close by so we could go back and forth between our properties during the renovations.”
The family’s key requirements included:
Proximity: Close to their family home in Scarborough, Ontario
Space: Amenities to comfortably accommodate a family of four, without uprooting their lifestyle
Pet-friendly: Ensuring their family dog could stay by their side
Flexibility: A long-term stay for 6-months, with option to extend
While moving a family of four and a pet can feel overwhelming, specialized housing solutions offer the immediate assistance needed to navigate the complexities of displacement.
Through his insurance provider and a relocation specialist, Bob was connected with Premiere Suites. His relocation specialist worked closely with Premiere Suites to specify their needs and find a long-term housing option perfectly suited for their family.
What the process looked like:
Following the displacement, Bob immediately contacted his insurance provider to begin the claims process.
His insurance company connected Bob to a relocation specialist with expertise in insurance displacement housing.
His dedicated relocation specialist worked directly with Premiere Suites to find Bob and his family a long-term rental.
Premiere Suites supported Bob and his insurance specialist, finding them a home that suited his family’s needs and immediately setting them up to check-in.
This unified collaboration led Bob to Mondeo Drive, a 3-bedroom furnished townhome located in a quiet, gated community in Scarborough.
“It was a nice opportunity to have a nice transition between the trauma we had to deal with and moving back into our regular home again. It was a favourable outcome in terms of the ease and the niceness of the transition.”
Space to Accommodate Their Entire Family
While it was an adjustment moving from a bungalow to a three-story townhome, Mondeo Drive provided their family with a full-kitchen, common areas, and the overall “separation” their family needed to live comfortably during their 7-month stay. The townhouse was also pet-friendly, ensuring every family member had a place to call home.
Bob shared that their “the experience was great. The property [Mondeo Drive] was clean and well put together. It had most of the essentials you need for daily life.”
Close to Where They Needed to Be
Located only a 10-minute drive to their family home, Mondeo Drive allowed them to easily manage renovations throughout the duration of their stay. Remaining close to their neighbourhood also helped maintain their daily routines. Bob also noted that “the neighbours and community were great”, which is always an added benefit when settling into a new area.
Ability to Extend Their Stay
Predicting the timeline for home repairs can be incredibly difficult. Bob’s initial six-month booking was set to end in December 2025, but as the date neared, his family realized they needed more time. Their relocation specialist communicated this to Premiere Suites, who efficiently extended their stay by an additional month, allowing them to stay in the same property until their home was ready.
During a seven-month stay, minor issues are inevitable. Bob noted that when the cable service flickered or the water heater needed a technician, the response was immediate.
"Your team [Premiere Suites] was always polite and respectful," Bob shared. "When there were major things, I talked to the team directly and things were expedited fast.”
A significant relief of the family was the financial arrangement – everything was handled directly with their insurance company. This meant:
Zero Out-of-Pocket for Rent: This was managed directly by their insurance, with Premiere Suites offering direct billing.
Included Utilities: No separate bills for hydro, water, or Wi-Fi. This was a part of Premiere Suites’ all-inclusive rate.
Premiere Suites worked directly with Bob’s insurance company and the relocation intermediary to streamline the billing and extensions.
Reflecting on his experience, Bob offered advice for others who might find themselves in similar circumstances:
Prioritize Location: Staying within 10 minutes of their home allowed Bob to go back and forth to manage the "restoration of our home" easily.
Check Parking Rules: In urban areas like Toronto, parking for multiple vehicles (including motorcycles) can be a hurdle. Bob recommends checking local street parking rules and visitor parking stipulations early on.
Communication is Key: Don't hesitate to reach out to Premiere Suites support team (available 24/7) directly to resolve maintenance issues quickly.
After seven months, Bob’s family successfully transitioned back into their restored bungalow in Scarborough.
By providing a high-quality, fully managed home environment, Premiere Suites was able to turn a period of housing uncertainty into a "favourable transition," allowing Bob and his family to rebuild without the added stress of a difficult living situation.
Premiere Suites is one of Canada’s leading providers of insurance housing, with access to over 10,000 furnished properties nationwide. Our accommodations are designed with real life in mind.
If you’re navigating a home insurance claim and need reliable accommodations, Premiere Suites offers safe, fully furnished housing across Canada.
Let us help you find a comfortable place to call home.