# Leasing a New Austin Apartment This Winter: November 2026 to February 2027 | New Austin Apartment Team > Winter is the slow leasing season. What 10.8 weeks free (board median, Oct 25, 2026) means for lease-end timing, year two, and pre-leasing into spring. URL: https://newapartmentsaustin.com/blog/austin-winter-leasing-season-2026-27-specials/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-25 Category: Seasonal Tags: apartment-specials, opening-soon, lease-end-timing If you’re leasing a new Austin apartment [/ →](/) between November 2026 and February 2027, you’re signing in the slow season, and the numbers show it. On Oct 25, 2026, the median special on our New Build Board was 10.8 weeks free, and 75% of communities offered 8 weeks or more. Across the metro, RealPage reported 37% of stabilized units offering a concession in June-July 2026, the top share in the U.S. This note covers what that means for your lease-end month, your year two, and pre-leasing into spring. ## Why winter leasing is different Leasing follows the calendar. Summer is the peak season, when more renters move and communities have less reason to discount. Winter is the low, with fewer move-ins and more empty units to fill before spring. New buildings in lease-up feel that most, because they’re trying to fill units on a schedule. ![Calendar from November 2026 to February 2027 marking lease start and renewal months](/images/content/calendar-graphic-november-2026-to-february-2027-ma.webp) For you, that usually means more room to ask. It also means one thing renters often miss: a winter signing on a 12-month lease renews in winter. > **The renewal month follows the start month** > > Sign in December on 12 months and your renewal lands in December. Sign on 15 months and it lands in March. ## Year two after a winter special Renewals price from base rent, not from what you paid after the special. At the board median of 10.8 weeks on a 12-month lease, year-one rent averages about 21% below base, so year two at the same base is about 26% higher. Here’s a dated example, labeled as an illustration (values as of Oct 25, 2026; live pages use the feed). At Citizen House Decker in Far East Austin, $1,172 base with up to 10 weeks free on 12 months is $947 net effective. With $112.50 in required fees, that’s $1,059 a month. Year two at the same base is $1,284.50, a $225 jump (+21%). | Lease signed | Lease length | Renewal month | Season at renewal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | November 2026 | 12 months | November 2027 | Slow season | | November 2026 | 15 months | February 2028 | Slow season | | January 2027 | 12 months | January 2028 | Slow season | | January 2027 | 15 months | April 2028 | Start of busier season | A longer lease isn’t automatically better. Our 12 vs. 15 month lease [/guides/12-vs-15-month-lease/ →](/guides/12-vs-15-month-lease/) guide shows how to compare them on a 24-month total, and our year-two rent [/guides/year-two-rent-after-concession/ →](/guides/year-two-rent-after-concession/) guide explains the renewal jump. ## What to ask for this winter With deep specials common, the useful asks are the ones that carry into year two: 1. **A lower base rent.** A $50 lower base saves $600 in year one and lowers year two by $50 a month. 2. **The special on your exact unit.** “Up to” specials often apply to select floor plans and lease terms. 3. **A waived required fee.** Fees ran $78-$228 a month at 12 board buildings (median $120.50). 4. **The special in writing**, with its end date and minimum lease term in the concession addendum. ![Quiet leasing office of a new Austin apartment building on a winter afternoon](/images/content/quiet-leasing-office-of-a-new-austin-apartment-bui.webp) ## Pre-leasing into spring If your current lease ends in spring 2027, buildings opening in the next few months may line up with your date. Deliveries fall from about 13,000-14,900 in 2026 to about 7,000 in 2027 (Austin Apartment Association; Northmarq), so the number of brand-new buildings opening next year is expected to be smaller. We list only opening dates we confirmed within the last 30 days, and we read the holding agreement and delay terms with you. Our pre-lease or move now [/guides/pre-lease-or-move-now/ →](/guides/pre-lease-or-move-now/) guide walks through the choice. ## Holiday timing Leasing offices often run shorter hours around Thanksgiving and late December, and move-in slots fill early in the last week of the month. If you’re moving around the holidays: - Confirm your move-in date and key pickup hours in writing. - Book elevators or loading areas early at mid-rise buildings. - Set up electric before you arrive. A 12-month letter of credit can waive the deposit at Austin Energy ($200), PEC (up to $150), and Georgetown ($250). We’ll help you set it up before move-in. ## The short version Winter specials at new Austin buildings are deep, and that helps your year one. Plan for year two at the same time: compare a lower base against a deeper special, consider how lease length moves your renewal month, and get every term in writing. **Want the winter specials decoded for your move date?** See Austin apartment specials, decoded [/apartment-specials/ →](/apartment-specials/) ![New Austin Apartment Team](/images/misc/navy-square-logo-tile-with-a-white-letter-a-for-ne.webp) New Austin Apartment Team Licensed apartment locating team, Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC A licensed Texas brokerage team that prices every new Austin apartment the way you'll actually pay. Spirit Real Estate Group, LLC, TREC #562021 About the team → [/about/#new-austin-apartment-team →](/about/#new-austin-apartment-team) Related board view Specials Specials confirmed within the last 7 days, each decoded to net effective and year two, with base rent shown beside every discount. Open Specials [/apartment-specials/ →](/apartment-specials/) Guides ## Guides that go deeper ![Wall calendar and lease pages in a bright new apartment kitchen](/images/featured/wall-calendar-and-lease-pages-in-a-bright-new-apar.webp) Decision guide ### 12-Month vs. 15-Month Lease on a New-Build Special More weeks free on a longer lease can cost more or less. Compare net effective, renewal month timing, and 24-month totals before you choose. Read the guide → [12-Month vs. 15-Month Lease on a New-Build Special →](/guides/12-vs-15-month-lease/) ![Renewal offer letter on a kitchen island with a calendar nearby](/images/featured/renewal-offer-letter-on-a-kitchen-island-in-a-sunl.webp) Explainer ### Year-Two Rent After a Concession: How the Renewal Jump Works Renewals price from base rent. 10.8 weeks free on 12 months means about +26% at the same base. How to see year two at 0% and +3% before you sign. Read the guide → [Year-Two Rent After a Concession: How the Renewal Jump Works →](/guides/year-two-rent-after-concession/) More news ## Other updates ![Itemized apartment fee sheet on a desk beside a laptop showing a rent listing](/images/featured/itemized-apartment-fee-sheet-on-a-desk-beside-a-la.webp) News & Updates · Oct 5, 2026 ### Austin's Apartment Fee Ordinance Took Effect October 1, 2026: What Changed Ordinance No. 20260528-045 requires 50+ unit owners to itemize fees and advertise rent plus required fees. How it lines up with our true monthly. Read the update → [Austin's Apartment Fee Ordinance Took Effect October 1, 2026: What Changed →](/blog/austin-fee-ordinance-in-effect-october-2026/) The 60-second form ## Tell us what you need. We make the calls. You don't have time to call 20 leasing offices. We do, and confirm the unit, the special, and the written fee sheet the same day during hours. 1. 1 Same day We call or text during hours with a shortlist plan. 2. 2 In writing Unit, special, end date, and fee sheet confirmed before you tour. 3. 3 Year two shown Every pick shows year two at 0% and +3%, plus a 24-month total. Prefer to talk? Call or text 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) , Mon-Fri 8 AM-8 PM · Sat 9 AM-6 PM · Sun 12-5 PM. Free, same day during hours ## Get my shortlist Step 1 of 3 ### Thanks, we have your details. We'll call or text the same day during hours with your shortlist plan. ![](/images/misc/dusk-view-of-new-limestone-and-glass-apartment-tow.webp) Free to you, and your rent is the same either way ## You don't have time to call 20 leasing offices. We do. Send us your move date and all-in budget. We confirm the unit, the special, and the written fee sheet the same day during hours, then show you year two before you tour. Get my shortlist → [/contact/ →](/contact/) See the New Build Board [/new-construction-apartments/ →](/new-construction-apartments/) Call or text 512-000-000 [tel:+1512000000 →](tel:+1512000000) We don't guarantee pricing or approval. The community sets both, and we confirm them before you sign.