How early should you looking for a new lease?

[MP3_SKY]

My situation is my current lease is expiring on April 30th and I want to move to another place where the rent is a bit less expensive.

Now my question, is it too early to looking for a rent now as of February? Like even if I found a place where I like, the landlord probably won't wait until May 1st to collect my first rent, right? They will prefer someone move in as or March 1st or April 1st to get their rent right away instead of reserve it for me til May.

Is it a waste of time for me to look for rent, since the landlord won't hold for me anyway even I told that I will sign the contract and give deposit for May (2months away).
And is it safe to give deposit to individual landord like 1 month ahead?

[ssainani]

it is generally safe to give a deposit a few months ahead of time -- i've done so myself

but if you're very very happy where you live now and it's not a giant amount less you want to pay.... maybe also ask the landlord if they can do better/

if the place stays empty for a month after you leave that will affect them more than losing a little bit slowly

[MacGyver]

If you can find a new apartment that's coming up for lease in more than 60 days time, then great. Sign the lease, and give your current landlord more than 60 days notice, too.

I've always given at least one months rent (sometimes two as first and last IIRC) as a "deposit" when I sign the new lease. Then it becomes a binding contract between two parties and your new landlord will be held to account should they try to pull a fast one on you.

[Cheap Cat]

In Ontario, you have to give 60 days notice. So usually you look within that time frame. It has been a long time since I looked for a rental but typically the notice will say the date available. If the landlord wants you, he may wait for you but that typically depends on the vacancy rate. You should start familiarizing yourself with the market now.