Do most people apply for a new apartment before they give notice to a landlord

Question

and when is the reference letter given

Answer 1

Usually it's safer to do it this way cos' you assure you'll have a new place to move.  As soon as you turn in the application and paid the credit check fee. The manager will verify all info you gave before approving it.

Not all the LL will give reference to your new LL if he does not want you to move or if you have history of late rent, better not to ask him to give any reference.

Answer 2

Absolutely.  Normally you'd want to have the new place all set up before you give notice - not just applied, but approved and lease signed. I wouldn't give notice to move out until I was sure I had somewhere else to go.  

For example if I decided today (Aug 7) that I was going to move, I'd pick a target date at least 45 days out - in this case Sept 26.

When I'm looking for my new place, I'd tell the new landlord I want to take possession on the 26th.  Your new landlord will probably be a bit nervous if you *don't* want at least 30 days, because that means you may not give him notice when you move.

If I can get everything set up  (lease signed and everything), then I'd give notice on the 29th of Aug (last business day of the month) that I plan to move out on Sept 30.

Personally I prefer to have a couple of days of overlap to take the pressure off of trying to move everything in 1 day - that's certainly not necessary.  

Answer 3

Yes, apply for a new apartment before giving notice to the landlord. Just make your move in date after you have you have given the required notice.  If your lease requires 30 days notice, move in after that of course.  You can submit the reference letter when you apply or at the request of the new landlord.

Answer 4

Yes.