How to Move From One Apartment to Another With a Lease Gap

In many cases, you’ll only have a short period of time between your old and new apartments. Those gaps are fairly easy to navigate — in fact, you can often negotiate your way out of them.

Check Both Leases Carefully

Dealing with a lease gap isn’t an unusual problem. Oftentimes, a lease will actually make provisions for this exact situation. First, you should check both leases carefully to see if they define the move-in and move-out times. In many cases, you can begin moving your things into your new apartment after a specified time on the day before the official start of your new lease. If, for example, your lease starts on November 1, you may be able to start moving your things in on October 31.

Try Negotiating With Either or Both Landlords

Most landlords expect to have their apartments vacant for a short period between tenants. It allows them to clean, make repairs and prepare for a new tenant. If that’s the case, your old landlord may be willing to allow you an extra day to get completely moved out. Likewise, if the unit you’re moving into is vacant, your new landlord may be willing to let you start moving in your belongings a day early. This is far more likely to be successful if you’re renting from a private owner than a management company, but it’s worth trying in either case. 

Look for an Early Termination Clause

Check your old lease to see if it has an early termination clause. This allows you to break the lease early under specific conditions (such as job relocation). However, it often comes with a penalty fee or means you’ll need to forfeit your security deposit. Sometimes, a landlord will require that you find a replacement or subletter to cover your remaining stay. Even if you’re not technically allowed to break your lease, it’s worth asking your landlord or building manager.

Pack a Moving Van or Stay With a Friend

This can work if the gap between your leases is just a night or two and you’ve rented a U-Haul or moving truck for the move. On your move-out day, pack all your belongings into the rented truck and arrange to stay with a friend or spend the night in a hotel. Drive your belongings to the new place the next day and get moved in. 

Find a Short-Term Rental

If your lease gap is longer than a few nights, consider a short-term rental option like subletting, vacation rentals or extended-stay hotels to cover any gap period. These options provide a flexible and often cost-effective solution while you wait for your new lease to start. Services like Airbnb, VRBO or local sublet listings can be useful resources for finding a temporary place to stay.

Plan for an Overlap in Leases

Yes — temporarily renting two apartments at once is legal. In fact, it’s really the most practical and ideal option. You may be able to negotiate a partial month's rent at either the old or new place to give yourself a little extra wiggle room for the move. That way, you can move things over a little at a time as you get settled.

Sometimes, the period between leases can be longer, from several days to a few months. When that happens, you’ll have to be more strategic about your move. Not only will you have to arrange somewhere to stay for yourself, but you'll also have to figure out what to do with all of your belongings while you’re between apartments. 

Rent a Storage Unit

The smartest solution to a long lease gap is renting a storage unit for your furniture and other belongings. SmartStop Self Storage offers short-term rental options allowing you to store your items without any long-term contracts safely. You can reserve a storage unit online to take advantage of current promotions, such as a free or discounted first month. With a self-storage unit, you can move out on your end-lease date and then take your time getting everything settled into your new place. Since you have access to your unit during the facility’s business hours, you have the luxury of moving in stages instead of having to fit the whole move into one day. 

Pack Smart

Start packing well before your moving date, but pack smart. First, figure out the essentials you’ll need to have with you — i.e., an “Essentials Box.” This could be clothing, important papers and documents, or your coffee maker. These items won’t be going into storage. After your Essentials Box is ready, pack the rest of your house and label your boxes with the contents to easily find what you need. Check out more moving tips and download our moving checklist for even more help.

Find a Long-Term Place to Stay

It may not always be possible to bunk in with friends or family while you wait for moving day, but there are plenty of options for long-term stays. If the time between your leases is significant (e.g., more than a month), consider looking for an apartment to sublet. You may even find a furnished apartment, saving you from moving twice. 

Depending on your employer or school, you may have other options. Some colleges or universities, for example, may offer affordable short-term housing for students or faculty) who are faced with a lease gap. If you’re moving to take a new job, check with your new employer’s human resources department for any suggestions or assistance they can offer. 

Finally, be sure to search for “extended stay hotels” near you to find hotels and motels that offer affordable rates by the week or month. Many of them offer amenities such as a breakfast buffet, access to a fitness room and in-room microwaves and coffee makers. Some may even include full kitchens.

Make Arrangements for Pets and Plants

If you’re lucky, you’ll find a short-term housing solution that allows you to keep your pets with you. If not, you’ll have to arrange for them to stay with a friend or arrange boarding for them. Plants are simpler — you can take them with you. Just remember to include them in your moving plan.

If you’re planning to move in stages, think strategically when you’re packing your storage unit. There are some things you’ll want as soon as you move into your new place, such as tableware, cooking utensils, bedding and window treatments. Make sure to place those in front, where they’re easily accessible. You don’t want to have to unpack your entire unit to find the one or two things you need right now. A few other tips to help keep you organized include:

• Label everything clearly.
• Keep a detailed inventory of the unit’s contents.
• Plan an organized layout for your unit. Our size guide can help you choose the best size for your needs.
• Make a map of the unit and tape it inside the door so you can easily locate anything.

If you’re still early in the moving process, be sure to follow the tips below to make your move as seamless as possible.

Start Early

Start searching for a new rental at least 2-3 months before your current lease ends. Giving yourself enough time allows you to explore a wider range of options, compare prices and choose a place that fits your needs. It also bakes in enough time to handle any unforeseen issues that may arise during the search process.

Stay Organized

Keep all your paperwork, including lease agreements, move-in/move-out checklists, and correspondence with landlords organized and accessible. Use digital tools like cloud storage or apps to store copies of important documents and set reminders for key dates. 

Plan Your Move

Coordinate with movers and service providers well in advance to ensure they’re available on your target moving dates. Book moving services, rent a truck or enlist the help of friends and family early to avoid last-minute hassles. Additionally, create a moving checklist to track tasks and ensure you stay on top of all the tasks you need to complete.

Set Up Utilities Early

Arrange for utilities (electricity, gas, internet, etc.) to be set up in your new place before you move in to avoid any service gaps. Contact utility providers as soon as you have your move-in date to schedule the transfer or installation of services. 

Budget for the Gap

Financially plan for the possibility of a lease gap. Having some savings set aside can help cover the cost of temporary housing or double rent payments if there is an overlap. Additionally, extra expenses like storage, utility setup fees, and any potential overlap costs should be factored into to avoid financial strain during the transition.

Use a Broker or Real Estate Agent

A broker or real estate agent can help you find rental properties with flexible start dates and may have helpful insights into the rental market. They can also leverage their network to identify properties that match your criteria and negotiate favorable lease terms on your behalf. Many agents can streamline the search process by scheduling viewings, giving you detailed information about properties and assisting with paperwork, taking a lot of the hassle and stress out of moving.