Is winter just going to bring bad tenants?

Chicago, Illinois
Marketing Your Property
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Is winter just going to bring bad tenants?

Maya Jones
Member since 2025 · 126 posts · 45 votes

We have two vacancies currently and trying to find tenants for december and January.i have listed on zillow and apartment. Com. Only 1 lead on Apartment.com.
multiple leads on Zillow but  Have been getting all these weird applicants.

Do I keep the listing or take it out for some time and relist in january since we are heading into the holidays
other alternative is to have a Real estate agent do it and maybe they'll get more traction? 
We are in Chicago and the winter is here

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Nathan FisherBusiness Member
Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 312 posts · 265 votes
10mo

The only tenants who move in winter HAVE to move. Anecdotally, these are the groups I see:  

1. The recently evicted, or avoiding an eviction

2. Breakups/divorces.

3. Relocating to a new city for work. 

Do your background checks and you'll be fine. 

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  • Caleb Brown
    Real Estate Agent · Kansas City · Member since 2018 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10mo

    I would not accept a bad tenant, stick to your guns. December is an awkward moment for Real Estate. Demand for buying/selling or renting is low. People are too focused on Christmas/New Years. Yes some people do still move but there is a drop. January things open up. It might still be slow with the weather. I don't think taking down and relisting would make a huge difference. A property manager/agent might be able to fill it quicker. Make sure your rental listing is professional and together. Pricing, photos, description, etc. I would also put on FB, more work weeding through people but a lot of people use that. 

    4Reply
    • Maya Jones
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 126 posts · 45 votes
      9mo

      @Caleb Brown I also worry about break ins if the unit is listed and vacant, especially with holidays coming and us not being around. 
      Would it be prudent to delist and list in January? 

      we are not doing showings at this point until after New Years

      0Reply
  • Ezekiel Trevino
    Realtor · McAllen, TX · Member since 2025 · 141 posts · 58 votes
    10mo
    What do you mean by weird applicants? It depends if you’re willing to wait till January. Talk to a real estate agent. Some agents have list of clients who are looking.
    0Reply
  • Nathan FisherBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 312 posts · 265 votes
    10mo

    The only tenants who move in winter HAVE to move. Anecdotally, these are the groups I see:  

    1. The recently evicted, or avoiding an eviction

    2. Breakups/divorces.

    3. Relocating to a new city for work. 

    Do your background checks and you'll be fine. 

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    7Reply
  • Maya Jones
    OP
    Member since 2025 · 126 posts · 45 votes
    10mo

    Looks like not serious people, few names I have quickky googled show up on a crime database 

    1Reply
  • Joey BanasihanPro Member
    Investor · Boise, ID · Member since 2019 · 238 posts · 189 votes
    10mo

    Hey @Maya Jones - I think your screening process dictates the quality of tenants more than seasonal vacancies. We have higher standards around credit scores, monthly income, etc., along with certain background check criteria. And coupling that with a good pricing, incentive, and strategic lease timing, all plays into hopefully acquiring some good tenants. I am sure there are nuances in your market as well but good screening is always the foundation.  Good luck with listings!

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    2Reply
    • Maya Jones
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 126 posts · 45 votes
      10mo

      @Joey Banasihan thanks, it seems like we have people contacting that don't even meet screening criteria, almost like they are hoping we accept them? 
      do you even respond with a generic message ? Or just ignore and not waste time

      0Reply
  • Kenneth GarrettPro Member
    Investor · Florida Panhandle/Illinois · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10mo

    @Maya Jones

    Yes winter is a difficult time to find tenants in the winter in the Chicago area. I have been successful in the past, but it takes longer and unfortunately rents are a little down during this time.

    People need to move when they need to move. I would keep the listing active you never know, but make sure you are continuing to screen properly.

    1Reply
  • Max Traveler
    Handyman · Miami, FL · Member since 2020 · 32 posts · 10 votes
    10mo

    Which neighborhood is your property located? Maybe you need to have move-in promotion or lower your price. 

    0Reply
  • Aaron ZimmermanBusiness Member
    Accountant · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo

    Winter is definitely not ideal for Chicago in my experience from a leasing perspective. I would keep listing the property but definitely don't take a bad tenant. Ideally you also make a note that you want the lease to end in a better time of year so you're able to get the property available sometime between May and August. 

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  • Marcus Auerbach
    Investor · Milwaukee - Mequon, WI · Member since 2010 · 5k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    10mo

    I am in the same boat here in Milwaukee. We will have our latest rehab ready for photos in a few days and we just got a move out notice for end of January on another SF. I agree with @Nathan Fisher about the main groups. 

    However, job and family are also the main reasons why people move in general. And there is very little inventory to choose from, so the supply kind of matches the demand.

    Landlords don't like vacancies in the winter, but frankly no tenant likes to move in December either, so I never understod the notion to stipulate that in the lease. 

    December is the eye of the storm, just wait it out. Things usually pick up right after the holidays. IDK if professional PM would make a signficant difference, I assume your ads look good with professional pictures. If not, spend a few bucks on professional pictures, it's cheap. Total rookie mistake to save on that.

    We do phone interviews to screen out people who don't meet credit score, income or eviction criteria and invite the rest for a open-house type showing. We offer a weekday after work and one on the weekend during the day.

    4Reply
    • Maya Jones
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 126 posts · 45 votes
      10mo

      @Marcus Auerbach very helpful, thanks, and yes totally right about pics, one of the listed unit looks not as good, we had photos this wekeend and waiting on the staging process to relist with better photos. 
      good to hear that others have seen this before

      0Reply
  • Jonathan KlemmBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    10mo

    Winter is always going to be a more challenging time to get a place leased up in Chicago @Maya Jones!  

    I'd recommend using a listing software that syndicates to every platform possible.  Where is the building, and what are you looking to charge?  Also, what would you be charging during peak season?

    If you are thinking about hiring a real estate agent it's probably not a bad idea to at least talk to some professionals.  Just make sure it's SOMEONE WHO KNOWS YOUR AREA VERY WELL - that will make all the difference!

    Lastly, consider an 18 month lease to get you back in to peak season for renting.

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  • Michael K GallagherBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus OH · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo

    gotta agree with @Jonathan Klemm that when you do get someone in there signing them up for a longer lease to put their renewal in april or may is always a good move and as most have already eluded to, its an easy pitch to the tenant because its a pain in the *** to move in the winter noone likes it.

    [email protected]614-362-2231
    2Reply
  • Charles ClarkBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2020 · 306 posts · 209 votes
    10mo

    @Maya Jones

    Winter + holidays in Chicago will definitely slow demand, so the weird applicants aren’t surprising. I’d keep the listings live but tighten screening and pricing slightly if needed. If January is your target move-in, pausing and relisting after the holidays can help refresh demand. An agent can help, but often won’t change winter seasonality—strong screening matters more right now.

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  • Eric Gerakos
    Investor · Costa Mesa, CA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo

    Buying a better property means a better tenant pool wherever the property is located.

    0Reply
  • Maya Jones
    OP
    Member since 2025 · 126 posts · 45 votes
    10mo
    Thanks all, if we say no smokers. And potential applicant says they are a smoker but they don’t smoke indoors. Should that be a disqualification? If I say no smokers, is no smoker right?
    0Reply
  • Clare PitcherBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2024 · 162 posts · 97 votes
    10mo

    Hi Maya, 

    This is definitely normal for the time of year! We see a slowdown in quality applications in the winter months because of the holidays and the harsh Midwest winters. What has helped us fill units this time of years is being really reasonable with the rental rates. For example, we just leased a 2-bed 1-bath lower duplex for $1300 that would go for about $1500 in the Spring. Tracking data on showing numbers and feedback is huge. Every week we take a look at how many showings there were, applications submitted, and any feedback from the showings. This helps us to adjust the showings accordingly. If you're looking for help with leasing, GC Realty and Development in Chicago has tenant placement services I beleive and they are great! Reach out to Shae from their company! 

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  • Paul De Luca
    Real Estate Agent · Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo

    @Maya Jones

    You can definitely find good tenants at all times of year, but since fewer people move during the winter the pool of potential applicants will typically be smaller.

    With two vacancies, I recommend keep looking for tenants that meet your criteria. You may have to drop the rent a bit, but cutting $50-$100/mo is a small price to pay to not continue to lose money every month. Vacancy can be your biggest expense.

    4Reply
    • Maya Jones
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 126 posts · 45 votes
      10mo

      @Paul De Luca thank you! I have a silly question, I don't want any smokers in my unit. 
      if a tenant answered yes to smoking during prescreening but they said they only smoke outside, should I not budge and not move forward with these tenants? 

      0Reply
  • David Bovyn
    Realtor · Member since 2025 · 26 posts · 7 votes
    10mo

    Hi @Maya Jones! I would not wait to hire someone to help. Most Realtors and Leasing Agents are willing to sign what is called an "agency agreement" which also gives you the right to market and potentially rent on your own without paying them a fee. This way you still reserve the right to try and find someone on your own, but you get the professionals on it. That way if you happen to find the perfect fit on your own your good to go, but if you continue to struggle a professional is on it and will hopefully find someone faster then you can on your own!

    0Reply
  • Kyle KlinePro Member
    Member since 2024 · 4 posts · 9 votes
    10mo

    We learned this one the hard way. We were trying to accommodate the school schedule (our rental is in a college town), which turned into us having tenant turnover in December in the Pacific Northwest. Cold cleaning days and a less than stellar applicant pool. 

    All of our leases are now annual leases ending in June to avoid the winter turnover! 

    0Reply
  • Adam BartomeoBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10mo

    You will want as much marketing as possible. This is not the time to cheap out. I would not hire and agent, most have no clue of what they are doing. I would hire a PMC for tenant placement.

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  • Tj FlorosPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Chicago · Member since 2025 · 95 posts · 74 votes
    10mo

    I don't think winter brings bad tenants. I had to lease 3 units last year starting right after thanksgiving and into the new year. You don't get bad tenants you just don't get the big bulk of tenants you would in the spring and summer market, with more or bigger tenant pool you'll always get the best of the best. You can still get good tenants during the winter just will take a lot longer than you think especially if you want market rent. In the end it's all about tenant screening. 

    [email protected]
    1Reply
  • Eudith VacioPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Chicago & NWI · Member since 2015 · 860 posts · 521 votes
    9mo

    Hey @Maya Jones

    This is such a valid concern & honestly, I’m seeing something similar right now. Winter doesn’t automatically mean bad tenants, but it does mean you have to be extra good with screening.

    I’m actually going through this myself with helping a client that has a couple of rentals active in South Shore. I’ve had multiple rounds of showings (3 so far) and still haven’t placed anyone yet because a lot of them don't meet our criteria (prior evictions or bankruptcies), or the ones that do meet our criteria just ghost us. It’s definitely taking longer and it could also be the area, but I’d much rather wait than rush and regret it later!!

    0Reply
    • Maya Jones
      OP
      Member since 2025 · 126 posts · 45 votes
      9mo

      @Eudith Vacio thanks for sharing, with eviction since its falls under the criminal history, what's your approach ? Is it immediate disqualification or case by case basis? Asking as a first timer doing screenings. 

      also I have been getting a lot of I can move ASAP- from what I have read these are people to stay away from ? 

      0Reply
  • Eudith VacioPro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Chicago & NWI · Member since 2015 · 860 posts · 521 votes
    9mo

    @Maya Jones - I'm not doing showings until January now. I had my last showing last week and the lady is interested & her record is clean + she is section 8, so we'll see what happens 🤞🏾 but my requirements are NO evictions or bankruptcies so if I find them, then I let them know. Believe it or not, when I ask if they've ever had an eviction, they deny it 99% of the time and when I show them, they act dumbfounded or think that i'm lying / crazy LOL 

    0Reply
  • Patrick O'SullivanBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2024 · 540 posts · 208 votes
    9mo

    If your written criteria says “no smokers,” then no smokers should mean no smokers. Bending on that upfront usually leads to boundary issues later, especially with odors and complaints. Winter applicants aren’t inherently bad, but with a smaller pool, it’s even more important to stick to your standards and let screening do its job. It’s better to wait a bit longer than compromise on something important to you.

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  • Jimmy LieuBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9mo
    Quote from @Maya Jones:

    We have two vacancies currently and trying to find tenants for december and January.i have listed on zillow and apartment. Com. Only 1 lead on Apartment.com.
    multiple leads on Zillow but  Have been getting all these weird applicants.

    Do I keep the listing or take it out for some time and relist in january since we are heading into the holidays
    other alternative is to have a Real estate agent do it and maybe they'll get more traction? 
    We are in Chicago and the winter is here

    Hey Maya, winter in Chicago definitely slows down the rental market, and the holidays can make people less responsive, so what you’re seeing isn’t unusual. It can make sense to keep your listings active but adjust expectations—sometimes leads will come in slower and applicants might be a little “weird” just because people are browsing casually or not fully committed. Relisting in January can help catch fresh interest after the holidays, but in the meantime, you could also consider having a local agent handle it if you want to reach more qualified applicants and take advantage of their network and marketing channels. Sometimes a small tweak in photos, description, or even slightly adjusting the rent can make a difference too, and keeping your communication fast and clear helps filter serious tenants from the tire-kickers. Happy to connect and answer any questions you have!

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  • Scott Nachitilo
    Property Manager · OK · Member since 2024 · 98 posts · 74 votes
    9mo

    Winter is always a hard season, but stick to your screening criteria, rather than panic-accepting high-risk tenants. 

    If you are still receiving weak applications after your advertising has renewed, then get an experienced real estate agent who knows your community.

    Regarding to smokers, continue to support your rule and don't accept them. Even outdoor smokers will leave behind residue inside your property that will cling to the walls and repel future tenant candidates.Finally, structure your leases going forward to intentionally end during the spring/summer seasons, and, where possible, try an 18-month lease.

    0Reply
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