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Real estate experts cited by House Beautiful say late fall through the winter holidays is generally a more challenging period to list a rental, as fewer people want to move amid travel, school schedules and cold weather. They caution that there is no universally worst month: local conditions, rental type, target tenants and pricing all matter.
Late fall through winter can be a harder time to find tenants for a rental, according to real estate experts interviewed by House Beautiful, as holiday travel, school schedules and cold weather may discourage moves. The experts said there is no universally worst month: local market conditions, the type of rental and its intended tenants can change the seasonal pattern.
Danielle Andrews, a broker with Realty One Group Next Generation, told House Beautiful that landlords listing in November and December may be competing not only with other available homes but also with renters’ holiday plans and reluctance to move. The effect of winter weather is likely more relevant in regions with four distinct seasons than in places with mild winters, the report said.
The seasonal pattern also depends on the rental’s intended use. Jeff Hurst, CEO of Furnished Finder, said short-term rentals tend to be more seasonal, while rentals of 30 days or more may draw people who need accommodation throughout the year. Summer can be a peak period for short-term rentals, although college towns may follow student schedules, and families may be less likely to move during the school year.
Late spring and early summer are often busier for rental searches. Zillow senior economist Kara Ng told the publication that Zillow Rentals data show listing views, messages to property managers and rental applications typically peak in the first week of June. Zillow survey data cited by Ng found that moves were most common from March through June. Those busier months can also bring more competition from other listings.
How Seasonal Demand Affects Landlords
A longer vacancy can mean lost rental income, making the timing of a listing relevant to landlords’ finances. But the experts’ guidance does not establish that waiting for a busier season is always the best choice. A vacant unit continues to carry costs, and the report says Ng cautioned that holding out for a particular rent can cost more than securing a tenant sooner.
Pricing and presentation may matter as much as the calendar. Andrews said a home can remain unrented even in a strong season if its price is $200 or $300 above comparable properties. That figure is her example, not a market-wide estimate. Renters can compare listings online, and an asking price that is out of line with local alternatives may reduce interest.
For landlords, the practical takeaway is to compare the property with similar local rentals, consider the likely tenant’s needs and account for vacancy costs before deciding whether to wait, lower the rent or offer a reasonable concession. The report does not provide a single rent discount or timing strategy that applies across markets.
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Seasonality Depends on the Rental
The report frames seasonal demand as a general tendency rather than a rule. Ng said the strength and timing of demand depend on location and rental type, while Andrews noted that mild-winter markets may experience a shorter slow period. A property aimed at vacationers, students, families or renters needing a furnished place for several months may therefore encounter different demand cycles.
Lease timing can also affect when a unit becomes available again. Andrews said landlords with flexibility could consider an initial lease of 10, 14 or 18 months instead of automatically choosing 12 months, to avoid repeatedly listing during a slow period. That is a strategy suggested by the broker, not a guarantee of higher occupancy or income.
The experts also advised landlords to make listings clear and easy to act on. Andrews recommended current, professional-looking photos, steady video, a well-maintained home, accessible application requirements and straightforward communication. Hurst said trying to appeal to everyone can make a property less distinctive, particularly when furnishing or decorating it.
“There’s definitely a seasonal rhythm to rental demand, but I wouldn’t call any single month universally ‘bad.’”
— Kara Ng, Zillow senior economist
Local Rental Patterns Still Vary
The report does not identify a single month that is the worst across all rental markets, nor does it quantify how much demand falls during winter. Zillow’s cited data describe seasonal peaks in listing activity and renter moves, but do not establish the expected vacancy period or rent for a particular property.
Results may differ by city, weather, property type and target tenant. The report also does not provide current local data for a specific rental, so landlords would need to compare nearby listings and demand before applying the general seasonal advice. The available source material ends during Ng’s discussion of whether an empty unit should wait for peak season, so her full statement is not available here.
Check Local Comparables Before Listing
Landlords planning a listing can use comparable local properties to set a competitive price, then review listing views, inquiries and applications after publication. If interest is limited, the experts’ recommendations point to practical adjustments: improve listing photos and communication, make the application process clear, consider a reasonable concession when comparable rentals offer one, or revisit the rent.
Owners with flexibility can also consider lease lengths that shift the next vacancy away from their area’s slower period. The report offers no universal date or guaranteed outcome; the relevant next step is to assess local demand and the costs of leaving the property empty against the likely benefit of waiting.
Key Questions
What time of year is generally hardest to list a rental?
The experts cited by House Beautiful described late fall through winter, especially November and December, as a generally more challenging period. They stressed that this is not a universal rule.
When do rental searches tend to be busiest?
Kara Ng said Zillow Rentals data show listing views, messages to property managers and rental applications typically peak in the first week of June. Zillow survey data cited in the report found moves were most common from March through June.
Should a landlord wait until spring to rent out an empty property?
Not necessarily. Ng cautioned that waiting for peak season may not make sense if the unit is vacant, because vacancy has a cost. The report recommends weighing that cost against local demand and the rent a landlord expects to receive.
What can landlords do if a listing gets little interest?
Compare the asking rent with similar local properties, use clear and current photos, make application requirements easy to find and respond promptly. If comparable listings offer incentives, Andrews said a reasonable concession may also be worth considering.
Source: rss
