Start searching for apartments a month ahead of when you intend to move-in – this will allow enough time for finding something suitable for both your needs and budget.
Landlords typically look forward to getting new tenants settled quickly as this allows them to schedule any necessary painting work or make any needed repairs as soon as possible.
1. Ask the Landlord
While landlords aren’t required to show potential renters around before signing a lease contract, many will do so out of consideration and convenience for both themselves and you. This enables you to move in half way through the month prior to its official start date – saving both parties money in doing so.
Moving into an apartment usually coincides with your lease start date; however, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes landlords take several days to thoroughly clean an apartment before applying a fresh coat of paint, or resolve other small issues left by previous tenants. As such, it may be worthwhile asking if it would be possible for you to move earlier if that is important to you.
New York City apartments can be very competitive when it comes to finding housing, so negotiating your move-in date if it falls outside the first of each month can be especially crucial. Giving the landlord time to prepare your apartment and for you when moving out. Furthermore, doing this means paying rent only once when leaving an apartment!
Landlords may express concerns if you plan to move into an apartment early. They may require a security deposit or even charge you one month’s rent as an early move-in fee, and perform background checks – particularly if you are non-smoker or have pets.
When there’s a legitimate reason for early moving, such as job changes or providing assistance to elderly parents, a landlord will generally be sympathetic. They may require you to provide them with written explanation of why early moving is necessary; and if someone has agreed to take over your lease contract before leaving early they might not charge any penalty fees or penalty fees on it.
As long as you can pay your rent responsibly and can afford the early move-in option, moving in early should not be an issue with most landlords. They usually welcome early movers who are responsible and can afford their rent payments.
2. Ask the Property Manager
Moving into your first apartment is a major milestone on the path to adulthood, yet can also be expensive and require much hard work to settle in successfully. To minimize surprises when renting an apartment, it’s essential that you understand what is expected when renting one – from what expenses should be saved for move-in expenses to the documents that may need to be submitted for approval. Read on and discover more!
First thing is first when trying to move early into an apartment is speaking with the property manager or landlord. They will have more knowledge than anyone about what’s possible with your lease agreement, as well as valuable insight into your circumstances. They could give an estimate of how long it might take you to settle in at your new place as well as any special rules or fees that might apply.
If the property manager cannot assist, consider approaching your landlord directly. If you have an excellent relationship with them, they may be willing to work together in finding an amicable solution – although be mindful that changes to the lease agreement that violate any laws cannot be approved by them.
If you have a compelling reason for needing to move into an apartment early, your landlord might agree to alter your lease agreement to one on a month-to-month basis and help avoid having to pay any penalties associated with breaking it early.
Standard lease agreements bind both you and your landlord to live in an apartment for a specified amount of time, usually one year. However, should you leave before the lease term has come to an end early, the landlord can charge for remaining rental period unless breaking early was authorized in writing by them (often as part of nonpayment of rent or violation of other major provisions in contract terms). Fortunately for tenants in New York Real Prop Law SS 227-c protect them against unreasonable landlord refusal to break a lease).
3. Ask Your Agent
Property owners typically want you to move in on the date stated in your lease, which gives them time to clean and repair the unit before your arrival, making it feel fresh for you upon arriving. However, sometimes moving earlier might be beneficial due to family obligations or work schedules or simply to avoid an extended apartment search process.
Ask your real estate agent whether it would be possible for you to move early. They know exactly your situation, as well as the best solution and approach you take with the landlord or how best to approach them with any concerns about how quickly or slowly they respond.
Not forgetting, property owners reserve the right to screen tenants and buyers before accepting them as tenants or buyers. This process usually takes 24 to 72 hours; giving your landlord time to review all the information submitted about yourself in order to decide whether you are suitable. It is important that during this process, both you and your landlord remain patient and respectful – this will lead to building strong relationships and developing lasting friendships.
As much as possible, you should sign your lease a month in advance of moving out to give yourself ample time to find and settle into your new apartment or house. Unfortunately this is not always feasible; in cases involving mold or bedbug infestation it may be possible to file constructive eviction and remain living there until these issues have been rectified.
Keep in mind that rents tend to increase during the summer, making it harder to find suitable accommodations if you begin your search during this period. Therefore, it would be prudent to begin your apartment hunt six months in advance to increase your chances of finding something suitable.
4. Ask Your Friends
Sometimes the easiest way to move into an apartment early is with help from friends. A few months prior to your lease starting, ask a few of your close acquaintances if they would consider moving out early so you can move into their place easily. If they say yes, move-in with ease!
Be prepared to provide proof of income and sign a lease agreement with them, but it could be well worth your while if you want an apartment quickly. Be sure to get full information from them about rent payment and security deposit terms so you’re fully informed before agreeing to take on their lease early.
Many people may find themselves needing to vacate their apartment before the end of their contract has run its course, for whatever reason – be it better accommodations elsewhere or job offers in another city that require them to relocate – leaving them scrambling to find another residence on short notice if their lease agreement comes due.
When searching for an apartment, make sure not to submit applications too late. Most landlords require that tenants pay both their first month’s rent and security deposit before moving in – these funds serve to cover any damages caused to the apartment from any unexpected incidents and so it is wise to have this money saved up before applying.
Consider rental market trends when making decisions regarding when and where to move into an apartment. Rents tend to peak from July through September, with December to February being when rents tend to decrease the most – this means apartments in these months could be harder to come by, increasing competition among potential renters for your desired unit.
Moving in earlier will cost more than if your lease starts on its scheduled date; however, most properties won’t become available until after their previous tenant moves out and has cleaned or fixed any repairs needed to prepare for you.