When to Start Looking for Apartments: A Renter's Guide

If you’re a current renter trying to figure out when to start looking for apartments, feeling apprehensive or even stressed is normal. Research shows that of 2,000 people surveyed, six out of 10 people cited moving as the most stressful life event, with divorce or a breakup coming in a close second.

The good news is there’s a sweet spot for a smooth transition to find a new apartment that gives you enough time to look before your lease ends. Don’t worry. We took the guesswork out of apartment hunting with a guide of tips, strategies, and the best time for your next move.

When to Start Looking for Apartments

When's the Best Time to Start Looking for Apartments?

Most landlords require 60 days notice to vacate, so you will usually want to give yourself at least 60 days to find an apartment. However, we suggest a more comfortable timeline of at least 90 days. That way, you have flexibility in selecting a unit because you'll have options, but you'll also minimize the chance of running into places that don't know their availability because you're too far our from your move date.

Apartment Hunting Timeline

If you're moving from one apartment to another, then we suggest starting your search 60-90 days out. Some 90 day steps can be taken in a shorter period of time, so feel free to adapt this schedule to your own needs:

90 Days Before Your Move-In Date

Have about 90 days before your move? Here's a list of things you'll want to cross off your checklist before you step into your new apartment.

• Begin Your Search: This is the time to decide what neighborhood you want to live in, how much you want to budget, and other important considerations. Aim to sign a lease by the 60-Day mark. You can use tools like Apartment List that help you flex your options so you can find more neighborhood, amenities, and pricing bands.
• Decide on the Moving Window: This is the time to lock in the timeframe in which you want to move. Consider flexibility to accommodate any unexpected changes. You'll use this approximate date in your apartment search as well.
• Notify Your Landlord: Ensure that you provide the necessary notice according to your lease agreement.
• Start Decluttering: Start going through every room in your apartment, deciding what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away.
• Research Moving Companies: Look up reviews, ask for recommendations, and get estimates from at least three different moving companies.
• Create a Moving Budget: Consider all your possible moving expenses, like movers, packing materials, potential repairs, travel expenses, and more.
• Collect Important Documents: Gather and organize important documents such as medical records, passports, social security cards, etc.

60 Days Before Your Move-In Date

Whether it's your first time moving or not, there are some essential tasks you need to complete 60 days before moving into your new apartment.

• Secure a New Unit: Start the process of securing your new apartment. This could involve signing a lease and providing a security deposit.
• Book a Moving Company: After thorough research, finalize your choice of movers and book them for your moving day.
• Inform Friends and Family: Let your close ones know about your move.
• Start Packing Non-Essentials: Begin packing items that you don't use on a daily basis.
• Submit Change of Address: Update your address with USPS using your final move-in date.
• Connect/Disconnect Utilities: Schedule a date to disconnect your current utilities and set up utilities at your new apartment.
• Plan for Cleaning: Plan for a deep cleaning of the apartment after your belongings are out.

30 Days Before Your Move-In Date

You’re down to the final month before moving day. Stay cool! We've got a 30-day action plan that will take you straight to your new front door without a hitch.

• Confirm Move Details: Double-check the details with your moving company.
• Finish Packing: Make sure everything is packed and labeled.
• Service Your Vehicle: If you're using your vehicle for the move, ensure it's in good shape.
• Pack an Essential Bag: Pack a bag with essentials that you will need for the first few days after the move before you're fully unpacked.
• Final Walkthrough: Do a final check of the apartment to make sure nothing is left behind.
• Return Keys: Arrange to hand over keys to your landlord or property management company.
• Take Photos: Document the state of the apartment once you've moved everything out for your records.
• Submit Change of Address: Submit your change of address to your bank, credit card company, phone company, and any other institution that requires a current address.

If you’re wondering when is the best time to rent an apartment, remember to consider seasonality trends, not just the time you need to organize and pack.

What About Waitlists?

Some desirable apartment complexes do have waitlists of several months or even years. Such cases obviously are an exception to the general "90 day" rule for apartment hunters.

To that end, if you wanted to keep waitlisted communities open as an option in your search, you can start looking several months in advance if you wish. Just know that if you do find a community that you like, but they don't have a waitlist, they may not be able to service you until closer to your move date.

What Is the Best Season to Look for an Apartment?

In a typical year, nationwide rents increase during the summer and decline in the winter, making rents their highest from July through September. The best time to find deals on rent is during the low season, from October through March. However, the best time to find availability is the high season, beginning in Spring and extending until mid-Fall.

While there's not always a “best time” to rent an apartment, depending on your needs, keep seasonality trends in mind. Here are 5 things you should know about seasonality in apartment renting to help you decide the best time to move into apartment buildings of interest.

What's the Best Day of the Week to Search for an Apartment?

Saturdays are busy days for apartment complexes that are open for tours, and some renters believe that rental quotes could be higher on the weekend. However, many complexes choose to list their prices online these days, and apartment deals and offers are frequently handled through listing websites. These deals will be clearly visible when you inquire about the apartment and are primarily impacted by seasonality and availability, among other factors.

5 Things to Consider About the Neighborhood When Apartment Hunting

If you haven't already committed to a neighborhood, and you're moving to a place you've never lived before, you might be wondering how you find out what a prospective neighborhood is actually like. So here's a few things to consider when choosing a neighborhood, and also where you can find this information:

1. Commute & Transportation: How far is your drive to work or other areas that you spend a lot of time in? How much is your commute likely to cost, and will you actually save money by living farther away? Is there public transportation nearby that you can use? Is the area walkable and bike-able?
2. Location & Convenience: Can you easily get groceries and other necessities? Are there shopping centers nearby? If you enjoy nightlife or entertainment, is that available as well?
3. Affordability: For many people, neighborhood choices are determined by what you can afford. If you're more limited in choice because of your budget, that's OK! You can still find a great neighborhood using the tools we mention below.
4. Schools: If you have children, the strength of the local school system will generally play a big role in where you choose to live.
5. Amenities: More specific to apartment neighborhoods, but there are definitely several community amenities that can make a neighborhood very attractive. For instance, a common clubhouse with a pool or gym, a place to grab coffee or a bite to eat, or a business or work-from-home center are all important features that can sway a renter's decision when choosing one neighborhood over another.

Finding the Right Neighborhood

But once you've decided what's important to you, how do you find out if the neighborhood you're looking at has the features you want? Actually, local advice about moving may not be as far as you think.

• Many listing websites like this one offer guides to neighborhoods in major metropolitan areas. For instance, our Best Neighborhoods in Atlanta guide covers rent prices, transportation, location, and great local insights into each area. You can find these on our website or on other sites through Google.
• We love YouTube for local insights into cities across the United States, like this one on Buckhead from Living in Atlanta w/Eric. YouTube is also a great place to find content from local realtors who often have specific insights into the cost of living in the area.
• Similarly, you can also find many cost of living guides on our website and others, which often contain insights into neighborhoods, and can give you a better picture of what it's like to live in a state or city.
• A rent calculator can also help you decide if you can afford to live in a particular area (and what your budget will be).
• Finally, while you can generally find crime information in local guides, you can also use Google to see if your prospective city offers a crime map so you can visually survey which neighborhoods are safest.

12 Things to Do When Looking for a New Apartment

If you’re wondering when to start looking for an apartment, what’s most important is that you come prepared and ready to pounce on the apartment of your dreams.

1. Determine Your Move-In Date

There are some logistical considerations for your upcoming move. Your move-in date will influence almost everything, so it's essential to consider the following when timing your move: employment, current lease agreement, and rental industry activity.

Of course, if you need to move asap, these factors may not play a role.

2. Plan Your Budget

Get your budget in order before you start looking for an apartment by following the 50/30/20 rule to begin planning. You can also check out our Rent Calculator to give you an idea of the rent you can afford and show your apartments within your budget in your desired city.

3. Check Your Credit Score

The minimum credit score required to rent an apartment is usually 650.

A higher score will typically put you in a favorable position among your competition, while a lower score may reduce your chances of landing an apartment.

4. Consider the Amenities You Want

The right amenities can make or break your apartment-hunting experience. Come with a list of priorities from "must-haves'' to "nice-to-haves," such as walk-in closets, hardwood floors, updated appliances, or outdoor space.

If you’re wondering, “How fast do apartments get rented,” note that those with the top amenities go first.

5. Understand the Application Process

Now that you've figured out how far in advance to look for an apartment and how much to budget, the next step is applying for a unit. Applying for an apartment requires submitting an application and bringing the required items.

Find out everything you need to know about the apartment application process.

6. Research Average Rent Prices

If you're wondering when you should start looking for an apartment, remember time is of the essence. Knowing when to start apartment hunting is often impacted by rental seasonality.

To understand the average rent prices in your preferred area, check out our average rent reports and National Rent Report.

7. Create a List of Rental Questions

Before you begin your tours, take the time to prepare a list of questions to ask when looking at apartments. It’s easy to get distracted when an apartment has all the bells and whistles you’re looking for, but you can stay focused by preparing your questions.

8. Make a List of Top Choices

Apartments become available all year with fluctuations in seasonality, so it’s essential to make a list of your top choices ahead of time. Having your list ready helps you put one foot ahead of the competition.

9. Inquire About Leasing Terms

Whether you're on a month-to-month or annual lease, check your rental terms to confirm how much notice you need to give your landlord to vacate before your new move-in date. Then start lining up appointments to tour apartments one to two months before your lease ends.

10. Begin Touring Apartments

Try to schedule tours all on the same day and take a day off of work to complete your tours quickly. How many apartments you should tour varies, depending on your budget, wish list, and how much time you have before moving.

11. Prepare All Your Documents

An apartment checklist can help with a smooth transition. Prepare all necessary documents, like your apartment application, identification like a driver's license or state ID, previous rental and address, employment information, and proof of income.

12. Watch Out for Rental Scams

Many renters are unaware of how common rental scams are, leaving their guard down. Check out some tips to help you avoid rental fraud scams during your apartment hunt:

• Tour apartments in-person
• Rent from reliable property management companies
• Ask to speak with current tenants
• Avoid rent payments via cash or wire transfer
• Protect your confidential information
• Confirm apartment details before signing a lease

You can't stop rental fraud, but you can help avoid it.

Start Your Apartment Search Today!

As a few final apartment-hunting tips, read your lease agreement before you sign, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Ensure you understand whether you are signing a long- or short-term lease agreement.

Stop asking yourself, “When should you start looking for an apartment” and empower yourself with the most of your apartment-hunting experience with our best tips and strategies. Ready to find the perfect place for you? Sign-up with Apartment List to browse hundreds of apartments.

Apartment Hunting FAQs

Is 4 Months Out Too Soon to Look for an Apartment?

Four months is not too early to look for an apartment, particularly if you are looking at places with wait lists. However, keep in mind that because many apartments only require 60 days notice, the apartment you're interested in may let you know that you need to wait a couple weeks to learn about availability.

What is the Best Month to Look for an Apartment?

Given the nationwide rental trends, rents are at their lowest from December through February. That means you should start looking for an apartment as early as October to take advantage of the lower rent prices due to seasonality.

How Fast Can You Move into an Apartment?

While moving into an apartment typically takes one to two months, you can secure a rental property in as little as one week.

What Time of Year Are Rents Highest?

The time of year when rents are the highest is also when there is the most availability–summer. According to our national rent report, for the past few years, national rent prices have tended to peak in June. However, the best time to look for apartments may still be those peak months when there are more units and not necessarily winter when rents are cheaper.

What Month Do Most Leases Start?

Across the country, most rental leases start between May and August. Kids are out of school during this time, and the weather doesn’t stop people from moving to new locations.

How much notice do you need to give your landlord?

The amount of notice your landlord requires will depend on your lease and local laws. However, it is very typical for landlords to require 60 days notice to vacate.