Negotiating rent with the landlord

HamSoulo

Hello
I'd like to ask our landlord to lower the rent. For almost 2 years, we're paying £1,525; 2 bed flat, no kids, no pets.
Looking nearby (rightmove), 1 bed flats are listed for £1300-1400 available since May with multiple reductions; 2 beds are listed at a similar price £1,400-£1450, but same story, listed for ages and with reductions. Looking a bit further, 30 min drive from where we are, we can rent 2 bed flat or even a house in the £1100-1200 range.
Saying all of that, we are not too keen on moving due to coronavirus madness and wife has anxiety issues with pandemic and we'd rather stay and pay less.

• What would be the realistic ask? drop in rent by £100, £150, £200? I'd be happy with £1,400 pm.
• I'd appreciate any feedback on my letter:

Dear [Name]  

We’d like to ask if a reduction in rent was possible to bring us closer to mentioned monthly amount so that we do not have to move.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Many Thanks

HamS

anselld

No harm in asking.

Are you saying that rent has dropped in the area by circa 16% over two years?  Is there something special about this flat to command a higher rent or did you over pay in the first place?

Presumably you are aware that if the L does nothing the tenancy will continue periodic at the same rent.

MovingForwards

Why would the LL want to reduce the rent so you can save towards your own place?

You are on about financial difficulties due to being single income. That may actually cause the LL to think you are unable to reliably afford the rent and also contradicts the above paragraph.

Comparing a property 30 minutes drive away is like comparing an apple to a pine nut. You need to use like for like in the area you are in.

Perhaps @AdrianC or @theartfullodger are able to make suggestions.

ChewyyBacca

May be dont mention your house buying plans, because it might not affect LL in any positive way. Your life decisions are your own, he might not care

macman

Are you prepared to go periodic rather than agree a new 12m fixed term?
Given present notice periods,  the security is similar-you won't be evicted within a year anyway.

HamSoulo

macman said:

Are you prepared to go periodic rather than agree a new 12m fixed term?
Given present notice periods,  the security is similar-you won't be evicted within a year anyway.

By periodic do you mean on the rolling contract? If so, sure, after the current fixed agreement ends, it automatically goes into rolling with 1 month notice period.

HamSoulo

anselld said:

No harm in asking.

Are you saying that rent has dropped in the area by circa 16% over two years?  Is there something special about this flat to command a higher rent or did you over pay in the first place?

Presumably you are aware that if the L does nothing the tenancy will continue periodic at the same rent.

Yes, I'm afraid we've overpaid and while we've negotiated, it seems not well enough

dimbo61

I guess you live in the London area.
Maybe the Landlord will reduce the rent if you ask.
Maybe he/she will offer a new tenancy for 12 months but that might not be want you want if your looking to buy.
You can only ask and if you can provide other adverts offering 2 bed flats nearby that are cheaper all the better

caprikid1

I think the actual truth is, you asked for a rent reduction and the landlord refused, you now want to be awkward.
Moving puts you are far more risk than an electrical safety certificate.

Mahsroh

I’ve successfully done it once. I had an initial 6month term at £1000/month and then agreed to commit to a further 12month fixed term if the LL reduced the rent to £950. I was fully expecting to be told no, but surprisingly they agreed. 

No harm in asking, but I feel you’ve got to offer something in return. 

macman

This thread is 6m old...the OP has either renegotiated his rent or moved on by now...