Seattle apartment leases (3 months? 6 months? 12 months?) (apartment complexes, rental, month-to-month)

[az2wa]

I'll be apartment searching shortly and just wondering what leases are like in the area. I prefer signing 6 month leases...would that be an issue? Thanks.

[Under The Clouds]

In my experience, most apartment managers offer 6 or 12 month leases, so you should be ok. When I signed the lease for my current place, I was offered a choice of either a 6 or 12 month lease (went with the 12 because they threw in a free month). When the original lease expires, the rental contract automatically goes month-to-month.

Finding a place that offers a 3 month lease may be difficult. I don't recall ever seeing one of those, but a small number of apartments do offer month-to-month right from the start.

Now's a good time to be renting. Rents have come down slightly and new properties are still coming on line, so you should be in the driver's seat when negotiating a rental agreement. Best of luck.

[az2wa]

Thanks for the advice! As long as I can sign a 6 month lease I'll be a happy camper...

Now's a good time to be renting. Rents have come down slightly and new properties are still coming on line, so you should be in the driver's seat when negotiating a rental agreement. Best of luck.

Makes me feel even better

[tortoisegirl]

Everywhere I asked anything less than a 12 month lease increased the rent a bit, but was possible.

[mikec34]

Originally Posted by az2wa

I'll be apartment searching shortly and just wondering what leases are like in the area. I prefer signing 6 month leases...would that be an issue? Thanks.

Good lord, another Arizonan moving to WA?

It depends on the management company. In my experience, apartments in bad neighborhoods have 3 month leases (wa and az), but not allways. I've pretty mcuh had to do 6-9+ months everywhere, except one place.

You won't have any problem finding somewhere that allows 6 month lease. However, I agree with toirtese girl in that often a lease less than 12 months will increase your monthly rent.

[az2wa]

Originally Posted by mikec34

Good lord, another Arizonan moving to WA?

What's wrong with that?

[mikec34]

Originally Posted by az2wa

What's wrong with that?

NOthing at all. I'm from AZ and lived in WA (greatest place on earth) once upon a time . It seems many AZers are on this WA forum. Maybe I just notice Arizonans because I am one, too....dunno.

[az2wa]

Originally Posted by mikec34

NOthing at all. I'm from AZ and lived in WA (greatest place on earth) once upon a time . It seems many AZers are on this WA forum. Maybe I just notice Arizonans because I am one, too....dunno.

Hehehe okay, had me concerned that Arizonan's weren't welcome for some reason (not that I consider myself an Arizonan by any means)

[ajp2004]

One thing to confirm: some apartment complexes will get you in the door with a six month lease, but then will offer only 9 and 12 month leases after that, and/or will charge you $200 a month extra as a surcharge for month-to-month.

Always good practice to ask questions up front and take notes on who told you what (not that it's binding, but you won't likely get any promises in writing).

Good luck