It could be possible to snag a lower rent depending on when you sign a lease
You aren’t always in charge of when you move – your timeline could be tied to the start of school, when your existing lease is up, or you unfortunately could be forced to relocate because your rent is no longer within your budget. But, if you have some flexibility with a move-in date, there could be some benefits to choosing specific times of the year to make the leap to a new address.
All weather complaints and seasonal preferences aside, there are months that are better financially to move than others. In the summer, for example, movers and moving trucks are in higher demand because more people are changing homes. That makes it harder to find a truck or company that’s available. It also makes it more expensive to rent a truck or hire movers.
If you’re renting, waiting can lead to a better deal. Nationally and on average, you can rent a unit for less money in the winter than in summer, when the most people move. However, in Connecticut, that can vary city by city.
According to Zillow’s rent tracker, in 2024, rental rates in Connecticut rose throughout the year, peaking in June. It has continued rising every month this year, with a spike hitting in April. That trend is different in every city, with New Haven seeing jumps in May and September before dipping in cost through the winter (which probably aligns with when university students move in and out). Last year, Hartford rents were the lowest from January until May, but this year, the increases started in March. For other cities like New London, New Britain, and Middletown, there’s no significant difference in price, according to Zillow’s tracker, depending on when you sign a lease.
No matter where you live, the cost of rent is unaffordable for a lot of people. It comes down to supply and demand. Connecticut simply does not have enough affordable housing for people to live in. Landlords know this and can raise rent by hundreds of dollars knowing that tenants need a home and have no other options. If your landlord is hiking your rent without making any improvements to the property, then you can file a complaint with your local fair rent commission, which has the power to pause an increase, phase it in, or stop it altogether. You also have the power to try and negotiate rent yourself.
Whether you’re bribing your friends with pizza to carry boxes, are hiring a moving company, or plan to do it all yourself, there’s never a “perfect” time or painless way to move. But, if you are in a position to plan a move, you might be able to strategize to learn when the best time to relocate in your area is.
Everyone needs a stable place to call home. But when rent keeps going up, people are pushed out of the places they love and forced to move away from their support systems, schools, and careers. That tears strong neighborhoods apart and strips away the character from our communities.
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