Going about asking landlord to lower the rent?

JDMYOFAN

ruggedtoast wrote: »

I'm not surprised they said no tbh.

Not really, I felt I stood a good chance.

Let's say monthly rental is £500, I ask for a reduction to £400.

Having been tennants for nearly 2 years, paying on time, treating the property well, we are undoubtedly very good tennants. We've not costed the landlord any time or money.

The landlord is now in a situation where it's very likely we will give 2 months notice, and move out. I reside in an area away from colleges and University's, therefore students would not be looking to live nearby.

Should the property be unoccupied for even 1 month, the landlord loses £500. 2 months, £1000 and so on... Based on the surrounding properties, of which have been unoccupied for over 6 months, that would cost the landlord £3000 over 6 months. Had he agreed to reduce the rent by £100 per month (or even £50 by meeting me halfway), this would have only incurred a loss of £300-£600).

Of course, this arguement is based on the assumption thatthe property (like all surrounding properties) remains unoccupied for a period longer than 2 months.

paul5046

I think 20% is too much to ask for. Secondly i'd be more direct. When you want something make it hard for the other person to say no.
I'd go for......


Dear sir,

Due too recent changes in our finances, to stay at this address we need a 10% reduction in rent. I would like to point out that we have been excellent tennants and good tennants are hard to find. I would propose the reduction to be for 6 months. If you would like to meet to discuss this, we are available etc.

Thanks
etc,etc,etc.

This probably still wont work,it will take you to give notice, then he has to make a decision. If there are other empty buildings and he knows it, you may get your reduction.

Jowo_2

ruggedtoast wrote: »

I'm not surprised they said no tbh.

Same, the OP wants it to save on travelling costs which are irrelevant to the landlord, admits that the rent is already at market rate and has already been saved AST renewal costs.

paul5046

Jowo wrote: »

Same, the OP wants it to save on travelling costs which are irrelevant to the landlord, admits that the rent is already at market rate and has already been saved AST renewal costs.

And the landlord might already have people ready to take it if it becomes vacant. Nothing will happen until you give notice.

tbs624

Hard to say no?....hmmmm..

Dear T

Due to my personal finances, for you to stay at my marvellous property I need an increase of 5% in rent. However, as you have been good tenants, and I value our mutually beneficial businesses relationship, I am prepared to compromise & keep the rent at the current level for the next 12 months provided you sign for a new FT, with a 6 month break clause (and there will of course be no admin fees to pay). If you would like to meet to discuss this further .....

pinkshoes

nj106 wrote: »

The landlord is now in a situation where it's very likely we will give 2 months notice, and move out.

If you're not in a fixed contract, it's only 1 month notice.

I think 20% reduction was way too much to ask, and your letter was too personal - you should have just stuck to the facts about you being a good tenant, looking after the property, vacant properties above and below etc...

tbs624

pinkshoes wrote: »

If you're not in a fixed contract, it's only 1 month notice.

Good point but see

nj106 wrote: »

We're currently signed into a '12 month contract' (but can give 2 months notice at any point). The "12 month contract" is just jargon for "we'll attempt to charge you another fee in 12 months time".

pinkshoes wrote: »

I think 20% reduction was way too much to ask, and your letter was too personal - you should have just stuck to the facts about you being a good tenant, looking after the property, vacant properties above and below etc...

Agree, and the OP is assuming he knows more about the LL's full financial set up than he probably does in reality. You also have to bear in mind OP that if a new LL asks the current one for a reference he may well be less than forthcoming: after all, the longer it takes for you to get a new place the longer you'll be at your current property and paying his *full* rent. You may need to do an "I'll do viewings if you say good things about me" exchange

JDMYOFAN

I obviously took the wrong advice then and should have stuck to the more personal level.

Live and learn

With regards to moving out, we're in a 12 month contract but can give 2 months notice at anytime, yes, this is exactly what the terms and conditions read.

I've made no assumptions to the LL financial situation, I made that clear from the start that it's 'possible'.

It was worth a shot, i'm no financially worse off and stand to save over £300 between us if we were to move, thus saving for a deposit and being debt free qucker.

tbs624

nj106 wrote: »

....I've made no assumptions to the LL financial situation, ........

Are you sure?

nj106 wrote: »

.... if the landlord has the property unoccupied for 1 month, that's a 100% loss,.....

and

nj106 wrote: »

Should the property be unoccupied for even 1 month, the landlord loses £500. 2 months, £1000 and so on... Based on the surrounding properties, of which have been unoccupied for over 6 months, that would cost the landlord £3000 over 6 months. Had he agreed to reduce the rent by £100 per month (or even £50 by meeting me halfway), this would have only incurred a loss of £300-£600).........

Occasionally a brief void can save a LL other costs, depending on his/her full circumstances..

Whilst most would fully go with the " nothing ventured , nothing gained" view, you have commented on a desire for a garden , on your transport time & costs, that the flat seems "institutional" etc so basically what you were perhaps hoping was that the LL would compensate you for that ?

It's always a difficult one to be assuming that a couple of other vacant properties close by means that the LL will struggle to re-let this one.You did say pretty early on that what you were paying seemed to be the market rate so trying for 20% rent reduction after getting relieved of having to pay fees probably gave the LL the impression that you'd be relocating at some point in the not too distant future anyway.

Good luck with your search for a new home anyway.

iguana_2

My partner and I have been renting a 2 beds flat since July 07; this year they asked £294 pw; we counteroffered £260pw and emailed them links of very similar properties to ours (same area, same size etc.) saying that we would be moving to any of this cheaper flats if compromise couldn't be reached. After a week, they agreed to our final offer of £280. Must add that landlord is a charity and we've been having on-going trouble re horrible maintenance service. But in this case, negotiating was really hassle free and we'll be saving 100s in a year.
You're situation might be solightly different, but I hope this advice helps.