Is it cool to haggle on rent prices?

samjhudson

Hey there people

My girlfriend and I are just considering getting our first flat together in the Bristol area, but I'm a bit dismayed at rent prices . Just wondering if its generally considered ok to haggle with letting agents/private landlords over price?.

Thanks in advance guys
Sam

P.S If anyone has any advice on finding flats in this area I'd be grateful also

Meatballs

Let me know how it goes, I am moving that way in the next couple of months with/without girlfriend.

Can't see anything wrong with haggling prices, the worst they can do is say no. Or you could perhaps negotiate a lower price for taking more responsibility - maintaining garden, decorating for the owner etc.

If you will be a good responsible tenant, and reassure the landlord you will pay regularly and keep good care of the place then they're better off with you than someone who will pay the higher amount but trash the place or cause problems.

With the way the market is going, as far as I am aware, somelandlords who have BTLs may be getting desperate to get anyone in to help them cover their mortgage fees.

epz_2

dont see why not, they are trying to make as much money out you as possible, whats wrong with trying to pay them as little.

what you got to lose, all they can say is no and have a void till someone else comes along.

Gingernutmeg

We haggled a bit on rent when we were looking for a flat - I think that the amount you get off will really depend on where you are and what the demand is like ... the most that we managed to get off our rent was £20 a month, but that was in south west London when there was apparently a high demand for flats, and I will admit that we were in a situation where we couldn't really risk not getting the flat lol.

It's worth a try, particularly if you've got a good track record and good references, but be prepared for a lot of landlords to say no.

randomtask_2

Not speaking from personal experience, but I assumed it was a bit like 'offering' when buying property - you negotiate until both parties agree a figure?

My friend pays a little bit lower than the original asking price for rent for a flat in the centre of London she now shares - she did throw in an offer to decorate upon moving in when negotiating. For the price of some paint and a few rollers/brushes, made a lot of sense.

jyonda

Always haggle. I have got 50 quid a month off this property which was priced very competitively at 1150 for a 3 bed house in zone 4 London. I got 25 quid off our last house too which was already going very cheap. Your biggest advantage in haggling is YOU, ie your profile as a tenant, do you seem reliable basically. If you are students with guarantors and no references then you probably won't get much off. If you are a married couple of doctors with young kids and great references then you are very likely to be 'hot tenants'. The 2nd factor is how badly the LL needs to avoid a void period of any sort. Even a few weeks can cost the LL a grand in lost rent so knocking 50 Quid off each month to get someone in straight away is well worth it. Ultimately it will come down to the supply and demand factors for the type of property you wish to rent in your area.
Good luck

Dithering_Dad

If you intend staying in the house long term then you can use this to your advantage. Each time a tenant leaves, the owner needs to advertise, check references, etc. which all cost in time and money. The owner also has to worry about periods where the house may be empty between tenants.

They could well be happy to drop the price if they know they won't have any hassles or worries for a few years.

irnbru_2

Dithering_Dad wrote:

The owner also has to worry about periods where the house may be empty between tenants.

Remember that when a rent rise is mentioned too.

irnbru_2

samjhudson wrote:

Just wondering if its generally considered ok to haggle with letting agents/private landlords over price?.

If supply outstrips demand you need to use that to your advantage.

wonker

My friend and I just signed a lease on flat. We tried to negotiate the price and the agents were having none of it. We then said ok, fair play, we'll take the flat.

No harm in asking.

lynzpower

wonker wrote: »

My friend and I just signed a lease on flat. We tried to negotiate the price and the agents were having none of it. We then said ok, fair play, we'll take the flat.

No harm in asking.

there is usually at least a tenner a month that can be negotiated down.

my top tip is to avild the "new build" style flats as these will have been bought at inflated prices & the LL has to cover thier outgoings.

Ex- council flats are a good place to start as a) they are harder to let due to snob factor b) they will have been purchased a bit cheaper than none ex local flats and thus more room for manoevre.

We got 25 a month off this place, and it was cheap already.

try gumtree in your area or loot for private landlords - they have a little bit more leverage as they are not paying a letting agent or thier maintainence "teams"