So, suddenly I find myself in the market to apartment hunt for the first time in…well, just about ever. I’m looking at various rental sites – pay and free – and seeing the usual 6-month, 9-month and year-long lease requirements. I have also run across several places that advertise month-to-month leases. And I’m trying to figure out if this is a positive or a negative.
I’m a mid-30s professional who will be living by himself. I won’t be able to afford the nicest neighborhoods in the world due to my current circumstances, but that’s OK. There’s an aspect of month-to-month that appeals to me in the sense that I can easily relocate if I figure out I’m unhappy with where I end up (I’ve lived in suburbia for 11+ years, and will now likely live in a very urban area). However, for some reason, a place that advertises month-to-month strikes me as a place with high turnover, and therefore perhaps with less desireable tenants.
Am I reading that incorrectly? Should I be avoiding or flocking to a month-to-month option? What has your experience been?
IME, month to month is more expensive if you take it right off the bat.
It is usually what a standard lease turns into at the end of a lease run, here in CA.
I have rented apts in other states, and it was always more desirable, meaning more expensive.
If it is equal in terms of price, I would always take the month to month option, unless in your particular state it would somehow make it easier to evict you than otherwise for no cause.
I’ve never rented month-to-month from the gitgo. I’ve held leases that expired and were automatically converted to month-to-month. I don’t think they charged me any extra (i.e. a rate increase) but that’s one clause to look at before signing.
I’d consider how much stuff you plan to move. If you have a ton of things to take along, then the notion of picking up and moving in two or three months isn’t really that attractive—maybe that’s just me. Besides getting a truck and lugging the boxes etc. AGAIN there’s potentially a “lost mail” issue, a “time to notify every freaking credit card AGAIN” issue etc.
If you live in a populated area, there are probably places that offer month-to-month that are decent, e.g. those aimed at corporate types whose company’s hiring package includes a month or two while they find a house. I imagine they’re pricey.
Are there any “apartment finder” services around you? They might be able to help you with all the legwork. Around here at least the service is free…they get some sort of kickback from the complexes they work with.
with a monthly you can leave with 30 days notice, you can also get kicked out with 30 days notice. monthly your rent could be increased with 30 days notice. with a lease you are responsible for rent for the duration (either yourself, sublet or finding another tenant to sign a lease). your state and local laws govern.
One of these areas where city, county, state and perhaps federal (i.e. anti-discrimination) laws may apply. Suggest you inquire about adding a buy-out amendment to a lease which allows you, for a fee, to switch to a 30 day rental agreement. Some states, as I recall may allow the renter to buy a two week or a even weekly rental agreement.
Where are you located? Obviously local and state ordinances will apply and significantly affect the situation.
If you happen to be in Wisconsin, I have a hard copy of all state tenancy law and regulations and additional codes that apply in most counties and cities. I can look up specifics upon request.
I personally wouldn’t count anything out just because they’re month-to-month. I’d be first looking at the condition of the construction, cleanliness of the unit, ambient neighbor noise.
If you’re looking in L.A., the other thing I’ve used is the LAPD Crime Map to really determine how dicey (relative to other areas) a particular location is.
Good luck, sir. Email me if you want to chat further.
I’ve had 6 month, 1 year, and month to month leases. Any of them can be a good thing depending on your situation, but the 1 year is standard and usually most advantageous.
IF you’re pretty darn sure you’ll be moving again in 6 months or less AND you don’t get shafted with the amount of rent, a month-to-month can be a good deal. Just be cautious you aren’t getting highly inflated rent with that.
A lot depends on you and the landlord. Read any lease agreement thoroughly before signing. If you want to negotiate you must do that BEFORE signing, but lease agreements are negotiable.
You are correct, month-to-month IS associated with a high turnover, which can be indicative of problems. On the other hand, I’ve been renting month-to-month for almost 10 years now. As a rule of thumb, month-to-month from a commercial landlord usually means high turnover and possible problem tenants. Month-to-month from a private individual may be just preference. (My current situation was originally a 6 month lease followed by a 1 year lease then letting it lapse into month-to-month, but at no point was my rent increased due to any of that - that is unusual, but it illustrates you can find a good deal sometimes)
Again, if you are strictly looking at this as short term with intention to relocate shortly month-to-month might be find. But do look carefully at the neighborhood and your neighbors.
I would say to get a 6 month lease at this point. That gives you some stability in knowing that you won’t be kicked out or have a jump in rent but it is also short enough that you aren’t stuck in a place too long if it doesn’t work for you.