Your landlord might want you to believe there’s no room to negotiate the rent, but that’s just not the case. In fact, one of the reasons tenants say they don’t routinely try to cut money off their rent is that they don’t know they can even try.
If there is but one truth to live by, it’s this: If you ask for something, you may not always get it. But if you don’t ask, you most certainly never will.
1. Make a reasonable offer, once you figure out what that is.
Every situation is different. In very competitive markets where prospective tenants greatly outnumber available units, trying to negotiate the rent isn’t likely to be fruitful. Most likely, the landlord will just move on to the next prospective tenant until he finds one willing to pay what he wants to charge.
Although if there are plenty of available units in the complex you hope to live in and especially if they have been vacant for three months or longer try asking the landlord to take a per cent off the asking price. What per cent that should be will be based on your research.
Since most successful negotiations require both sides feeling the win, point out nicely that you can move in and start paying rent immediately (assuming you can), since every day the unit is empty is costing the landlord money.
2. If new tenants are being offered move-in incentives, ask for a loyalty reward.
If there are any units available for rent in a community, some apartment managers may offer what is essentially a signing bonus: a month’s free rent to new tenants who commit to a year’s lease.
If you already live there, this could very easily enrage you. After all, why should new tenants be given a financial break and not existing ones?
There really is one simple solution to this: Ask for a similar discount ― and don’t let the conversation end with the manager saying, “The offer is only for new tenants.” Duh, you know that. What you don’t know is why.
Point out that many businesses reward customer loyalty, and good tenants are essentially good customers. Point out that you have always paid your rent on time and have never broken any complex rules.
Note that while the company is clearly courting new tenants with this promotion, it also sends a message that existing tenants are not valued as much.
3. Don’t limit negotiations to just the price of the rent.
We advise tenants to think about other terms in the lease, aside from price. Maybe the landlord won’t budge on the rent but they can upgrade your parking spot to one closer to the door or under a shelter?
Keep in mind that if a building has more than one vacancy, you will have more power if you negotiate for a unit that’s less desirable ― say, one that’s located on a lower floor or has a less-convenient layout.
4. Offer to sign a longer lease if the landlord skips a rent hike.
Vacant apartments are the stuff of landlords’ nightmares. Each month that a unit is empty hurts the owner’s bottom line. The owner’s mortgage and taxes still have to be paid even if the rental unit isn’t generating any income. Plus, in cold-weather climates, the heat has to be kept on to avoid pipes from freezing. Maintenance and expenses keep coming, even if rent payments temporarily cease.
Plus, filling apartment vacancies is nobody’s favourite thing to do. It takes time and money to advertise for new tenants, more time to show the apartment at all hours, and then even more time and money to vet potential tenants, verifying their employment and checking references. And sometimes, even after all those hurdles are overcome, the would-be tenant walks away with a big “never mind.”
One big bargaining chip you have as an existing tenant is the fact you already live in the apartment. You’re a known quantity, and keeping you happy and living there often results in a bigger profit than having to find and screen a replacement.
Every day an apartment is empty means the landlord is spending money out of their own pocket to cover the mortgage. How can a tenant work that to their advantage?
Offer to sign a longer lease in exchange for a lower monthly rent. It will save the landlord both money and time down the line if they don’t have to deal with getting a new renter anytime soon.
Keep the conversation positive, saying something like “I love living here and don’t want to leave, but I’m seeing cheaper rents elsewhere. Is there any possibility we could negotiate the rent?”
5. Make sure you know the ins and outs of the building.
Knowing everything there is to know about the building you want to live in will give you a leg up in negotiations. Sites like Kenya Homes can help you learn whether there were recent price cuts on similar units or if there are a lot of vacancies.
Also, pay attention during your site visit. If the building’s communal areas are poorly maintained, appliances are dated, the building sits on top of a loud bar or has a history of health department or noise complaints, these are all points to use as leverage during a negotiation to help knock off a few dollars from your rent.
As a tenant, you should approach rent leases the same way you would if you were buying a house.
6. Present yourself in the best light possible.
Never underestimate the value of a personal appeal. Good references and a personal letter can help. So can an in-person meeting. Show photos of how you’ve decorated and maintained your previous apartment. Offer to provide a bank statement proving you are a diligent saver. Volunteer that you are a good tenant and have referred other good tenants to your building.
Yes, a landlord wants someone who is going to consistently pay the rent on time, but they also want to know that the tenant will take care of the unit, Woollard said. That may mean more than a few extra thousands each month.
7. Offer to help with maintenance or do your own small repairs.
You can also offer to repair or replace items that need repairs in exchange for reduced rent.
Some repairs are simple and can be handled by the tenant. Offer to accept the unit “as is” and agree to handle the paint job yourself, for example.
Just make sure you document what’s in need of repair when you move in so that you aren’t blamed for the breakage or damage. Landlords typically demand a damage deposit when they first rent you the unit, and you don’t want to have to pay for a problem you didn’t cause.