How to Negotiate Cheaper Rent
If you're thinking about negotiating the rent with your current landlord, or are house hunting and want a lower price before you sign on the dotted line, you need to know how to present yourself as an ideal tenant. Having a good credit rating and an excellent rental history, with no evictions or broken leases, can help when you decide to talk to your potential landlord about reduced rent. Your background shows that you will pay your rent on time and not cause any problems while living on the property.
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Instructions
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Inquire about a reduction in rent for doing various home improvement projects. Be prepared to tell your landlord exactly what you plan to do, such as painting, landscaping or fixing items that are broken in the house, as you have to receive permission beforehand. Ask if you can have a reduction on your next month's rent to cover the cost of the materials and labor.
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Offer to cut the grass or clean the pool, if those services are included in your rent. Maintenance of the property may be very expensive, so by doing it yourself, you will be saving the landlord a significant amount of money, which may be passed on to you in the form of reducing your monthly rent payment.
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Talk to your landlord about a discount for signing a longer lease. If you like the house, and plan to stay in the area for more than a year, ask if you may sign a two-year lease at a reduced rate. Finding new renters is a stressful and time-consuming process for many landlords. Also, preparing the house for new residents is expensive, so renewing the lease is the best option for everyone.
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Ask your landlord for reduced rent if you pay in advance. If you have enough cash to pay for a few months--or even a whole year--at once, you may receive a small break on your rent. Landlords aren't guaranteed that their renters will pay on time, or even at all, so this offer may be considered.
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Inquire about specials when moving into an apartment. Apartment complexes are usually run by property management companies, so negotiating with a leasing agent may be harder than with a landlord who actually owns the house. Still, many apartment complexes offer move-in specials that you may benefit from.
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References
- Photo Credit House image by Gonçalo Carreira from Fotolia.com
