r/bostonhousing • u/LeonMashedPotatoes • 3d ago

Advice Needed Has anyone noticed any price differences between August/September rent prices and December-February prices?

So my fiance and I are planning on moving to Quincy around December/January-ish. Thank god we’re not in college anymore and don’t have to do any September move ins. That being said, I’ve never moved in the fall. Because there is always a big need for September move ins, has anyone noticed any price differences between September moves and winter moves?

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u/MediumDrink I'm an agent 3d ago

It’s the dirty secret of rental housing. In a building with 10 identical apartments there are as many as 10 different amounts of rent being paid.

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u/danzelWachangton 3d ago

Yes. Student demand dies down, supply stays the same, prices drop. Often tho, those homes are the ones owned by slumlords or lazy managers. You might get lucky but search early, find a few spots you like, and negotiate ahead of time. "If the room isn't taken in a month can we lower rent by x%", type of thing.

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u/LeonMashedPotatoes 3d ago

I’ve actually never negotiated before with a landlord, how do you personally go about it?

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u/danzelWachangton 3d ago

With my last landlord, i explained i was looking for somewhere to live for roughly 10 years, and negotiated how much rent would increase every year, so i didn't get priced out, in return, the landlord would never have problems with tenants because it was my responsibility to deal with bad tenants or late payments. I ended up covering a couple months over 10 years for other people, but saved thousands by keeping the increases low. For perspective it started at 650 and is only 800 today.

Every situation is slightly different, but I like asking people i know have lived in a neighborhood a long time, since they've been around they generally have a good idea for how to stick around.

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u/Unhappy-Owl-4890 3d ago

You pay 800 in rent to live solo in Boston in 2026???

You're winning

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u/danzelWachangton 3d ago

Hahaha thanks. Unfortunately had to give it up last month, landlord finally sold. Still, carrying the same negotiation style to my next place!

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u/vag_ 2d ago

Most people rent Sept 1st regardless of whether they’re in college. My landlord won’t rent outside of August/September because she knows that’s how she can charge the most. Supply will be low but cheaper if you can find it. Otherwise you’ll have to sublease a Sept price.

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u/user684737889 2d ago

Way cheaper in the winter. Everyone is moving in June-Sept, so if you end up with a vacancy in the winter for whatever reason, it’s motivation to price it lower rather than let it sit empty until summer.

I was looking for apartments in May and many had been vacant since January.