Author Topic: How to approach negotiating rent  (Read 1685 times)

SimpleCycle

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1259
  • Location: Chicago
How to approach negotiating rent
« on: May 16, 2019, 01:48:43 PM »
Does anyone have any advice on negotiating rents?

I am going to check out a rental where the rent being asked is crazy high, but there are very few comps, so I'm not sure what the landlord is thinking or how they are pricing.  As will be clear from the figures in my post, we live in M-HCOL.

Facts:
-it's an 1100 sq ft 3 br SFH in a place where SFHs sell/rent at a premium over multi-families.
-the rent per square foot is more than double the rent per square foot of a comparable apartment ($3.45 vs. $1.50ish)
-there are no other similarly sized SFH rentals in this neighborhood.  The only other SFH rentals are HUGE (like 3000+ sq ft)
-based on Zillow history, it looks like it hasn't been rented since early 2018, possibly mid-2017
-during the time it has been listed, the rent has been as high as $5k/month and as low as $2800/month.  It is currently listed at $3800/month.
-the finishes look very nice in the pictures, and it has a nice yard, but only street parking
-my sense is $2800 or so it a fair market rent, which is why it hasn't rented for all this time

We are very interested in renting a SFH, which is why I'm contemplating negotiating the rent.  We don't have any particular timeline to move, so I don't have much to lose by proposing a lower rent.  But I'm not sure how to go about it in a way that makes the landlord likely to take me up on my offer.  We are attractive tenants - high income, stable jobs, excellent credit.  We'd be willing to sign a 2 year lease if that helped our case.  Anything else that might make us more attractive tenants?

srad

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 313
Re: How to approach negotiating rent
« Reply #1 on: May 17, 2019, 02:36:11 PM »
Its pretty simple, you meet with them, charm the hell out of them and then say "hey, i like it and i'm willing to pay X,XXX a month for it.  i'll even do a 2 year lease with a 3% increase at end of year 1"  They'll either laugh at you, counter or accept.

I'd be more leery renting from someone who has that unreasonable expectations of their place.  Is it an individual or management company running it?

Another Reader

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5327
Re: How to approach negotiating rent
« Reply #2 on: May 17, 2019, 03:52:34 PM »
It's probably a short term rental, with the rate dependent on the length of stay and the season. Check AirBNB, VRBO, and other short term rental sites to see if it is listed there.

SimpleCycle

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1259
  • Location: Chicago
Re: How to approach negotiating rent
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2019, 02:56:52 PM »
It's an individual who is a builder and real estate developer.

I don't think it's a short term rental - all the rental listings were from the Zillow rental listing history.
« Last Edit: May 20, 2019, 07:44:02 PM by SimpleCycle »

Enigma

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 491
  • Age: 44
  • Location: Clarksville, TN
Re: How to approach negotiating rent
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2019, 07:56:31 AM »
Chicago medium to high COL area...  It doesnt surprise me that a house would rent that high.  My SFHs tend to rent at a rate of double my multiunit properties.  Currently it is a landlord's market with very few SFHs that are similar.

Papa bear

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1838
  • Location: Ohio
Re: How to approach negotiating rent
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2019, 09:57:00 PM »
Its pretty simple, you meet with them, charm the hell out of them and then say "hey, i like it and i'm willing to pay X,XXX a month for it.  i'll even do a 2 year lease with a 3% increase at end of year 1"  They'll either laugh at you, counter or accept.

I'd be more leery renting from someone who has that unreasonable expectations of their place.  Is it an individual or management company running it?
Exactly this. I have potential tenants ask for concessions all the time.  Rent, pet fees, paid utilities, etc.  99/100 I tell them no. But it doesn’t hurt to try.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk