Lease Start Date vs. Move-in Date: Things to Know

Want to build your credit history with your rent payments? Check out Borrowell Rent Advantage^™!

It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement, stress and overwhelmingness of apartment hunting. It’s also important to do your due diligence and understand what you’re agreeing to when you sign a lease.

A common thing people overlook is that your lease start date and move-in date are two different things. While they often end up being on the same day, don’t assume that they will be.

Your lease start date, which can also be referred to as tenancy start date, possession date or closing date, is the day your lease begins. This date is outlined in your rental agreement and the date you become responsible for your rental unit. If you are purchasing renter's insurance (aka tenant insurance), this is also usually the date when the policy would start. Your move-in date is when you decide to start living in the unit.  

In this article, we’ll review the key differences between lease start date and move-in date so that you can be well prepared ahead of your next move.

What is the Difference Between Lease Start Date and Move-in Date?

The lease start date is the day your lease officially begins as documented in your rental agreement. Your move-in date is the day you choose to move into the apartment. The move-in date can be the same day as the lease start date, or after; generally, your move-in date won’t be before your lease start date.

The lease start date will always be specified in your lease agreement or rental contract. This is also the day when the renter will get their keys to the property. In contrast, your move-in day typically won’t be specified in the rental agreement and is usually up to the renter to decide. 

For some renters, the lease start date and move-in date will be the same. For example, your lease could start on the 1st of the month, and you may choose to move in on the 1st of the month.

In other cases, these dates won’t line up. For example, you might choose not to move in until a few days or a week(s) after your lease start date because you want an overlap between when you move into your new apartment and when you vacate your previous apartment. You may also want to clean or paint your new rental before moving in.

The rent payment for your first month of rent, and a deposit for your last month of rent, may be due when you’re signing the lease, regardless of when you move in. 

Make sure you’ve clarified both your lease start date and your move-in date with your landlord.

Signing a Lease

You will sign the lease before the lease start date and before moving in. This is often a few weeks or up to a few months beforehand. 

Before signing the lease, make sure to review the terms, conditions and duration of the lease. A lease is a legally binding agreement. Know exactly what you’re agreeing to so that you don’t get surprised down the road. Your province may also have a standard lease that landlords and tenants should use, for example, both Ontario and BC have standardized lease agreements.

When you sign a lease, you and your landlord will also agree on how the rent will be paid (e.g. by cheque, e-transfer, etc.). 

If anything your landlord is asking for doesn’t seem right to you, review the laws and regulations in your area. You do not have to sign a lease on the spot. Take time to review or become familiar with standard rental agreements in your area.

Getting the Keys

You can expect to get your keys the day your lease starts. Clarify how and when the keys will be exchanged ahead of time with your landlord or leasing agent so you know exactly when and where you will pick up the keys. At this time, you should also get the keys to other areas of the home, such as the mail box if you’re in an apartment, or locker/parking remote if that was included in your lease.

Taking Possession of the Apartment and Moving In

Once you have the keys on the lease start date, also known as “taking possession”, you’ll be able to move in on the first day of your lease or any time after.

Ask your landlord what the moving protocol is. If you’re moving into an apartment building or condo, you might have to book a moving elevator in advance and the elevator may only be available during blocks of time during the day. You will likely have more flexibility on move-in if you’re moving into a house. 

Because it’s tricky to coordinate moving between homes, some renters have their new lease start before the last day of their old lease ends so there is overlap. This provides more flexibility for moving belongings from their old rental into the new one.

Rent Payment Due Date

Rent payments are due on the day specified in your lease. For monthly leases, that’s typically the 1st of the month. It does not matter if the first day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, your rent is still due on the 1st. Your method of payment will be agreed upon between you and your landlord prior to signing the lease. Typically that's an e-transfer or post-dated cheque. 

It is your legal responsibility to pay your rent in full and on time. Some landlords will be understanding about the occasional late payment; however, you should do your best to be timely. 

If you are persistently behind in rent payments  or stopped paying your rent, the landlord has a legal right to evict you.

Signing up for more than you can afford will put you in a precarious situation. If you’re worried about this and facing housing instability, look into resources in your area. 

When is the Best Time of Year to Start a Lease?

The best time to move will depend on the overall housing market, the trends of the specific city or town you're moving to. 

In general, winter is a less busy time to explore the rental market, while summer tends to be the busiest (and, therefore, the most competitive). 

In a large city like Toronto with multiple universities, July and August are the most competitive months. That’s because students are starting school and looking for housing. It’s also the most common time families with kids will move, because it doesn’t disrupt the school year.

The higher the demand, the more competitive the rental market is. There might be less on the market, those units might move more quickly and they might be priced higher. This tends to be the case in most cities from June through September.

Winter tends to be the best time to look, as most people don’t want to move in the winter months or during the holiday season. 

Start looking for apartments one or two months before your desired moving date. If you start looking much more than two months in advance, it’s unlikely you’ll find listings that will still be available when you want to move.

Should I Consider the Move-Out Date?

You do not need to know or specify your move out date when you sign a lease.  In major Canadian provinces, like Ontario, it’s common for you to sign a one-year lease that continues month-to-month by default after the first year has passed.

The only instance where you might want to consider the move-out date up front is if you’re signing a short-term or fixed-term lease. In a fixed-term lease, the rental agreement specifies a start and end date. If you know that you’re going to be moving out in six months and you’re worried about coordinating the logistics of the move, go ahead and mention that to your landlord up front.

The Bottom Line

Don’t assume that your lease start date and move-in date will be the same. While they often end up being the same for many people, they are technically different. Your lease start date is the day your lease begins, and the move-in date is when you choose to start living in the property.

There will be different protocols and various levels of flexibility depending on whether you’re moving into a house, condo or apartment building. 

Communicate clearly with your landlord about when you’ll actually get the keys. Plan this out in advance so there are no surprises and your move goes as smoothly as possible!