Can I negotiate rent ?

chreesh13

So I've finally decided it's time to move out and find a rental near my work in Belfast City Centre.

I've seen a property I really like which is £600 a month which is a little on the small side so I feel like £600 is a little much for it. The property has been listed for a month and when I went to see the property the estate agent mentioned that people had been put off by the low ceilings.

I was wondering if i made an offer saying around £560 and said I could move in straight away would that be cheeky ?
I could offer two or three months rent upfront to show I won't default.

Socajam

Give it a try, I would offer £500 with 3 months rent upfront, signed contract for a year.
If they return and say £550, you have not really lost anything.

Exodi

Your reasoning is a bit vague and I'm also perplexed that an estate agent is running round telling people about how bad a property is.

Forget gut feelings and opinions, find comparables to see if your thoughts are valid. If you find 100 similar properties all being rented out for £600 then the landlord may not be interested in reducing the rent (and possibly not wanting to deal with you either). If you find that all the other similar properties on the market are being rented out for £500 a month then absolutely cite these to the estate agent.

Your offer of two-three months rent in advance may not get the landlord too excited given that you'll probably need to advance the first months rent regardless. I would more focus on the 'available to move in immediately' and 'happy to sign a year tenancy'.

Retired_Mortgage_Adviser

A city centre flat - listed for a month with a future move in date or listed for a month and "available now"?

If the latter, then clearly the rent is too high for the market. Definitely no harm in offering a lower rent with the promise of an immediate move and a 12 month contract.

sal_III

You have absolutely nothing to lose by asking.

I wouldn't go for it solely based on the property shortcomings. Add a list of comparable properties with lower rents as well.

chreesh13

Thanks for your replies.

Yeah the apartment has been available to move in for around a month now so has been up a while. On propertypal.com it is APT 4, 34 LISBURN ROAD,


One in a similar area but bigger was agreed within a week at £595 so feel like £600 for the smaller one is a bit much. Which was UNIT 6, 21 ULSTERVILLE AVENUE,

amandacat

I’ve done it back back when I was renting. House was on for £650 month, I offered £600, they said they’d accept £635. Also 6 months later when my fixed contract ended, I noticed the house across the road was up for rent for £600. I asked the letting agent for a discount and they agreed to drop it to £600.

Always ask, the worst they can say is no and then you make your decision.

bhjm

yes ask - as you have nothing to loose.

Mutton_Geoff

chreesh13 wrote: »

a little on the small side

low ceilings

Are you sure those issues won't bother you long after you forget what a bargain £550 a month was?


And why ask here if you can offer less than asking. Remember, everything in life is negotiable.

rosie383

Also factor in the fact that you can easily walk to the city centre from there but there are frequent buses too. Depending on your commute now that should save you some money every month.
Looks like it's on the top floor which should help with the noise as it's a very, very busy road.