When Is the Best Time to Search for an Apartment?

If you're savvy, you can absolutely get the best deal on a rental apartment in the winter. People tend to not want to move during the colder months, so there are fewer vacancies. While fewer vacancies might seem like bad news, it could work in your favour. Landlords and building property managers want to fill these vacancies, even though there are fewer of them. Because of their need to fill the vacant rental apartments, they might be willing to negotiate the cost of the rent with you. A negotiated price is better than a vacancy.

If you sign a year-long lease at this price, you're locked into this rent for a year. After that, most Ontario units can only go up by the annual provincial guideline (2.1 per cent for 2026, published on ontario.ca), but units first occupied after November 15, 2018 are exempt from the guideline, so ask about the building's age before you sign. Rules differ in other provinces; see our post on rent increase rules in Canada for 2026 on gottarent.com for the details. It's a win-win - the landlord fills the spot, and you get a better price.

Since the weather is nicer and the school year is coming to a close, there will be lots of move-outs. This means lots of units will become available during this time of year. Lots of rental apartments may come available, but you won't be able to negotiate the rent down, as there will be lots of people looking to move in, too.

The benefit is that with more available, you can have your pick. You can be more selective and not have to settle for what's available. It's also nice to move in when it's nice out!

• January to February: the quietest months. The fewest listings, but the most room to negotiate on rent or ask for a perk like free parking.
• March to April: listings start to pick up as people plan summer moves. Still a reasonable time to bargain.
• May to August: peak season. The most choice, the most competition, and the least flexibility on price. Expect to decide quickly.
• September to October: a second wave of turnover, then things calm down. Landlords with units still empty in October are often more open to offers.
• November to December: slow again. Fewer people want to move over the holidays, which can work in your favour.

In cities and towns with a large college or university, the calendar is different. Students sign for September, and many landlords list their units as early as January or February for a September 1 move-in. If you are not a student, the same neighbourhoods often have more choice in the spring after the student market is settled, and again in the winter. If you are a student, start looking in the winter semester before the best places near campus are gone.

Your current lease sets your timeline. In Ontario, a tenant on a month-to-month or expiring lease must give at least 60 days' written notice, ending on the last day of a rental period, so you need to be fairly sure of your next place before you give notice. That means starting your search about three months before you want to move: a month to look and apply, then the 60-day notice period. Notice periods differ by province, so check your provincial rules.

In the end, it doesn't matter what time of year you look for rental apartments when you have a handy online tool such as Gottarent.com. Rain or shine, you can search for apartments in your area and budget.