Rental prices - are they fixed in stone?

ICanDoIt_2

(I have searched the forum but couldn't find)

I was just wondering if rental prices are fixed and are not allowed/can't/shouldn't make an 'offer' on a rental price. For example, I've found somewhere I would like to rent, it's £500 pcm, can I offer say £480 pcm.

The reason I ask is the place I've found is fully furnished, but I'm in the STR brigade (for many reasons, won't go into them now) and hence have a house full of stuff. I don't want to get rid of my things, so I'll have to bung them in storage which will cost me. The place has been empty for several months, so I would hope they would rather have me in it then have no income from it at all.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Dave

franklee

Rental prices are up for negotiation just the same as house prices are. Know the market, provide comparables, take account of how long it's been empty. If you want to rent for more than six months then that can be a bargaining tool as changing tenants and having the property empty between tenants costs the landlord money.

Your offer is very generous considering the property has been empty for months.

If it's being let through an agent don't forget to ask their fees for everything, these can be negotiable too.

Also you can ask if the landlord is willing to remove all or some of the furniture, they may not be but it's worth a try.

I've even negotiated my rent down on renewing if the market has gone down.

I's all up for grabs!

Read the contract and all paperwork carefully!

ICanDoIt_2

Thanks for that!

I was going to try and get a quote for the storage, then go to the agency and use that as a bargaining tool against the rental price. As you say, I could try and ask for the some/all of the furnishings to be removed. It's an apartment though so they can leave the couch as I don't fancy getting mine up th stairs!! Thanks for that!