Over 34% of American families live in some type of rental housing. Renting an apartment gives these families a great amount of flexibility… if they can find one, that is.
Finding the right apartment with the right rental rates isn’t easy. Sometimes it can seem like there’s nothing on the market at all.
That’s because it all comes down to when you’re looking.
Some months are better for moving into a new apartment than others. We’ve put together this guide to help you learn the best time of year to rent an apartment.
So let’s get started!
What Is the Best Time of Year to Rent an Apartment?
There is no easy answer to this question. It depends on what your goals are when you move to a new apartment. For example, do you want to find the best rental rates possible, or do you want to have a lot of options to choose from?
Here are a few things you should know before you start hunting for a new apartment.
When Are Rental Rates Cheapest?
Rent is often cheapest during the winter, specifically December through March.
Why?
Not a lot of people choose to move during the already-busy holiday season. Because of this, landlords are doing there best to fill empty apartment units, and this usually involves lowering the rental prices.
When Are the Most Apartments Available?
Since most people don’t move during the winter, there won’t be many open apartments to choose from during that time. If you want to have a wide selection of apartments available when you move, you should plan your move during the summer, especially during the months of May through September.
The summer season is a big time of change for many people.
For example, college students are getting ready for a new school year. Families with young kids often move during the summer so their kids don’t have to change schools in the middle of the year. This is also the end of many renters’ leases.
However, although many apartment complexes have the most availability during summer, those units fill up fast. The rent is also much more expensive during this time.
When Is Moving Easiest?
Moving is often easiest during the summer. This is a time when kids are out of school, parents get vacations from work, and the weather is nice. And nice weather means your furniture and other possessions won’t get damaged by rain or strong winds while taking them in an out of the house.
However, summer is also the time when most people choose to move. Because of this, you might have a hard time finding and hiring a mover, and you might have to pay more for their services.
So make sure you plan ahead if you want to move during the summer. Talk to moving companies, like Small Movers, in advance to make sure they are available on your moving date.
So When Should You Move?
The answer to this question depends on your specific circumstances. If you want to save money, you should plan your move for the months of January, February, or March. If you want a lot of choices and flexibility, you should rent an apartment during the summer.
Want some more helpful moving tips?
Make sure you take a look at the rest of our blog!
