Can you haggle over rent

BBurkill

My current landlord has just put my rent up by £70.00 per month, stating this is the 'going rate for properties in the area'. I dont disagree, its the going rate for properties in the area which are of a higher standard.

However, I am shortly to be moving closer to my work. Given the current squeeze on mortgages, and more properties up for rental, is it possible to 'haggle' over the rent, in the same way as offers are made and accepting when buying.

If so, how does one go about this and what is the optimum time to do it?

Thanks in advance.

Troubled_Joe

Just go about it the same way you'd haggle about anything.

Show him evidence of the quality of the other properties in the same price range. Tell him you'll be leaving if he increases the rent etc etc...

If he thinks he's going to have a month or two without any rent at all whilst he finds new tenants then he'd be foolish to let you leave (although you're planning on leaving anyway)

stuartmck

Check your rental agreement. That should lay out the notice periods etc for any rent increases.

You are, of course, entitled to tell your landlord that you're unhappy with the increase - see what he says.

bristol_pilot

Yes, you can haggle on rent but don't expect to get a huge amount off and you will succeed mainly on properties that have been empty a while which indicates they were probably on at too high a rent in the first place. If you are able to offer six months rent up front, you may be able to secure a bigger discount. The best time to do this is after you have viewed the property and the LL asks if you want the place.

pinkshoes

You can always haggle on rent.

Around where I live, rents have gone up for good properties in the best locations, and down for run down properties in less desirable areas.

If you were planning on moving anyway, then why not just start looking for somewhere else now?

BBurkill

pinkshoes wrote: »

You can always haggle on rent.

Around where I live, rents have gone up for good properties in the best locations, and down for run down properties in less desirable areas.

If you were planning on moving anyway, then why not just start looking for somewhere else now?

Thank you.

I AM looking now, but planning to move after March.

To be more accurate, I have contacted my current landlord and told him I do NOT agree to the increase, but am obliged to accept it by virtue of his words "Please reply whether you agree to this increase or whether we are to advertise the property for new tenants". So I will wear this increase, but move out ASAP (and keep an eye on it to see if it gets let).

What I really wanted to know is if I can haggle on the rent for my new place, as I view them. The new place is inside the M25 and a little bit more. So I am wondering if I can haggle a reduced rent for a very long term let. ie, have me in for years OR pay to advertise it every six months or so for new tenants, and possibly have it empty for 3 months a year.

pinkshoes

You've got nothing to lose haggling on the rent, and the worst they can say is "no" (or someone offers the asking rent at the same time and you lose the property).

If you could afford to pay say 6 months rent up front, then you could potentially negotiate a really good reduction. Just make yourself sound like an idea long term tenant i.e. looking for somewhere to live for many years, in a stable job so will have no problem paying the rent, no pets etc...

cloud9

my friend was a letting agent and always haggles on rent and often gets it so worth a shot

Fred1_2

As a landlord, I wouldn't consider entering into haggling about the rent. I charge rents that are at the top end of the going rates for the comparable properties in the same area. But I pride myself on keeping my properties in tip top condition and providing excellent customer service to my tenants. That has a price. Some people are willing to pay that price some are not. So far I have always been able to pick and choose my tenants because most people who view my properties want to rent them.

nomoneytoday

Fred1 wrote: »

As a landlord, I wouldn't consider entering into haggling about the rent. I charge rents that are at the top end of the going rates for the comparable properties in the same area. But I pride myself on keeping my properties in tip top condition and providing excellent customer service to my tenants. That has a price. Some people are willing to pay that price some are not. So far I have always been able to pick and choose my tenants because most people who view my properties want to rent them.

However the OP's landlord wasn't quite up to your high standards

Fred1_2

very true, but will a landlord who is prepared to haggle also be up to my standards?

Like everything else - you get what you pay for.