Some people dye their hair when they need a change. I move.

In January, with all the new year new me messaging floating around, is when I start feeling the most restless in my living space. And every single time without fail I regret the decision in December.

Trust me, the excitement of a fresh start fades fast and here’s why:

1. Everyone You Need Is On Holiday Time

If the thought of work irritates you in November and December then you should assume everyone else feels the same way.

Especially people in real estate.

What’s important to you (like knowing you’ll have a place to live in 4 weeks time) is just an annoying item on their to-do list.

Something they want to avoid and push off in favour of online shopping.

Property managers and leasing agents already have a reputation for being hard to contact.

Last year I was prepared months in advance, submitting my request to continue leasing my apartment well before the deadline to account for Thanksgiving and Christmas out of office days.

I expected some delay over the holidays. I did not expect for my property manager to take 2 weeks of leave, including over the days my new lease (if offered one, I hadn’t been informed yet) was due or I’d be charged additional fees.

I get it. Before time off you push things aside, or get distracted and possibly miss something.

What’s important to you (your living situation) is not important to them (obviously). But just expect to meet roadblocks and out of office issues at every turn if you have any leasing needs in November and December.

If you sign a new lease in January then you’ll spend these 2 months prior chasing everyone for the bare minimum.

2. You Ruin Your Own Holiday

If you sign a new lease in January that means you’ll spend these 2 months prior (November and December) chasing everyone for the bare minimum.

It’s not just property managers either. It’s moving companies, utilities and council services. Because one time we arrived at our rental to find they’d removed the rubbish bins with no warning.

Remember that list that plagues you all holiday season? Well you’ve have one just as long for moving day.

You’ve effectively doubled your stress. Something no one should choose willingly.

3. December Is Dead

Just like the weather the rental list in December is cold, dark and dead.

There’s less new listings and the ones available are usually undesirable (e.g. overpriced or bad contract terms).

If your lease is up in January and not being renewed then this is the bad bunch you have to pick from.

You might end up making a decision based on desperation that could ruin your whole year.

4. You Need To Break The Cycle

A typical lease is 12 months and most places don’t like to accept 6 or 18 month leases. The first one is too short and not worth their effort. The second doesn’t allow them to bump up the price as often as they’d like.

And landlords hate leaving money on the table.

That means once you sign a lease in January you’re stuck in a cycle of having to continue to stress over the holiday period every single year. The only way to get off the rollercoaster ride is to convince a leasing agent to give you an unconventional lease term.

Whether this happens or not is mostly down to luck!

If there’s one thing that will definitely ruin all your end-of-year plans it’s not knowing you have a confirmed place to live in the new year. January is a great time of year for starting new hobbies and getting healthy but not signing new leases!