Short answer
You skip the first month's rent, but you still pay fees at move-in and full rent from month two. Typical move-in costs are a $20 to $50 admin fee and sometimes a deposit, plus insurance and a lock.
How a typical deal plays out on a $90 unit:
| When | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Move-in | Admin fee, deposit if any, lock, insurance |
| Month 1 | $0 rent |
| Month 2 on | $90 a month |
The fine print to check:
- Minimum stay. Some deals require 2 to 3 months, and a few charge back the free month if you leave early.
- The real rate. A free month on a high base rate can cost more over time. Over 12 months, an $80 unit with no promo costs $960, while a $100 unit with a free month costs $1,100.
- Rate increases. Ask when the first increase usually happens. Hikes of 5% to 10% every 6 to 18 months are common.
Free months tend to win for short stays of a few months. For a year or more, a lower monthly rate usually wins. Find nearby facilities with the finder and compare both kinds of offer.