This is usually up to the apartment complex. Many student communities lease by the year (12 month periods), and can plan out by semester how they will move and clean apartments. This allows them to lease apartments out very early in the year. Students will start signing leases in January and February, and we recommend going as early as six months in advance in order to reserve your spot. However, when you are signing a lease that far out, it is likely that you will not be able to view the actual apartment you will move into, so keep this is mind when you are looking as well. Other complexes that aren’t specifically tailored to students may have rolling move in dates, and you may be able to sign your lease closer to a move-in date.