Rental markets are very competitive. If the number of available homes for rent is more than usual, landlords look for ways to make their property listings stand out. They advertise heavily and have apartment promotions and discounts to lure new tenants. Such promotions are known as apartment move-in specials. Sometimes, the deals appear too good to be true. You might wonder whether the landlord is up to something to waste your time.

Should you consider a move-in special?
Renting becomes much more affordable if there’s an apartment special. It’s the best option to save money. But remember that these are majorly limited one-time offers, so you’ll have to act fast and stay ahead of other applicants. Promotions could be for any property, but one-bedroom apartment specials are more popular.

Typically, landlords provide specials that make the lease terms easier. A good deal might seem impossible and unimaginable, but it’s most likely genuine. They’re bound to offer you attractive schemes when there’s a fall in demand during economic downturns or winter when fewer people change houses. It helps them fill occupancies and even attract long-term tenants.

Types of apartment move-in specials
Here’s a list of some attractive offers commonly advertised by property management companies and landlords to attract more applicants: 

Rent-free first month
Many tenants find it hard to understand the perk behind this kind of move-in special. After all, how can landlords let go of a month’s rent? The catch is that even though they don’t get the rent for the first month, they can lock in the tenant for the remaining lease period, about 12 months or longer. It’s better than getting nothing if the unit sits vacant. At the same time, you save money in the first month of the lease, making it a win-win situation. Rent-waivers attract many people, especially those looking to rent one-bedroom apartments or small units.

Waived deposits
When renting out an apartment, landlords charge a fee that secures their interest if you leave before the lease expires or damage the property in some way. They utilize the deposit later to paint or clean the apartment, conduct repairs, take care of incidentals, eliminate pet odors, and carry out other maintenance tasks. Some feel that it’s an unnecessary collection, especially those usually cautious, clean, responsible, and reliable. In rare cases, landlords waive the security deposit and lower the amount for trustworthy tenants. It’s an exquisite one-bedroom apartment special, typically available for knowledgeable tenants seeking the most in-demand apartment rental rebates.

Free utilities or amenities 
When looking for one-bedroom apartments for rent in a large complex, you’ll find a few properties providing no-cost amenities to attract people.   It can help save money as amenity fees can be as high as $100 per month. As a move-in concession, some property managers also provide free utilities, like internet or cable. If you’re lucky, you may enjoy free electricity. Landlords offer such perks if they desperately want to rent out the apartment.

Waived application fee
Property managers or landlords charge tenants an application fee to cover the costs of running credit and background checks. Some waive the amount as a bonus. If you’re a renter, any discount is good. However, it shouldn’t be the deciding metric because the application fee isn’t high and ranges from $20 to $50. If the rent charged is higher than other apartments in the vicinity, waiving this fee brings no benefit. Regard it as a sweet deal only when paired with lower rent or another move-in special. Compare one-bedroom and other apartment specials before signing up for the best offer.

Reduced rent
Rent is among the most widely negotiated factors by tenants who wish to stay in the property for a more extended period but may have better housing deals elsewhere. Reducing the rent price makes the renter happy in such a situation. It saves you money while relieving the landlord’s stress about having a vacant property. But before lowering the lease rent, property managers perform a market analysis to see if that’s really feasible because it’s their primary source of income. If that’s not possible, they may offer you renewal initiatives like a new carpet, fresh paint, or another beneficial deal.

It’s common to come across move-in specials for one-bedroom apartments during low market demand, for instance, in the winter months. Landlords and property managers also provide them around the year, but they’re harder to find, and the discounts aren’t as significant. It brings us to the fact that the real estate market is very seasonal. So, if you’re considering renting an apartment, look for these off-season deals to save big. Don’t forget to compare promotions and do some research before signing up.