Best month for renting out an apartment?

Hey all, question for other landlords out there. If you had to choose between January 1 and February 1 for planning to rent out an apartment, which would be preferable? I know neither is as ideal as Sept or May, but that’s what I’m looking at for a vacancy in my garden apartment. Any preference/rationale for one over the other?   Thanks!

berniceshola

in Real Estate - Rentals 13 years and 7 months ago

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elbow | 13 years and 7 months ago

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I always found that Jan or Feb to be equally bad months to try for new tenants, so the advice about as early a start as possible is good.

slopegirl | 13 years and 7 months ago

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we had rentals open up in December and January and it was not easy to find tenants at that time. I think holidays definitely slow things down. Of course January is usually worst month for winter weather so Feb. 1 might not be much better, but its hard to imagine a worse date than Jan. 1. We did 15 month leases for those tenants and it worked beautifully. When you have a spring vacancy, its not a worry to leave apartment vacant for a couple of weeks while you do maintenance projects and find next tenant. Showing early if you can do that is a great idea.

Snezan | 13 years and 7 months ago

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also the extended lease is a good idea although I think even 14 -15 months should be just fine. 18 months is a long time to commit to a new and uncertain tenant. This year we have been able to get great rents from May on

Snezan | 13 years and 7 months ago

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If it’s an option, start showing it right before or after Thanksgiving for a January or February move in. The last few weeks, I have had a lot of calls from relocation clients asking for January and February move ins and I tell all of them to visit during that timeframe because that is when quite a few landlords will start showing for January. 
Of course, I know it’s in my best interest to tell you this, but I highly recommend you use a real estate broker as an impartial third party to find you the most amenable and qualified tenant.

ejalbk | 13 years and 7 months ago

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I’d shoot for February as almost nobody looks for an apartment around Christmas, not that Feb 1 is much better. You should also consider an 18 month lease to bring the expiration into September.