Whether your rent has gone up or you want to renew your lease with better terms, you might be considering negotiating with your landlord. It can be a dilemma if you’re unsure of how to approach the conversation.
Negotiating with your landlord can seem scary and uncomfortable. Maybe you’re worried about being turned down, saying the wrong thing, or damaging the relationship. While those concerns are understandable, negotiation can lead to results that greatly benefit you.
With the right approach, you could pave the way to a lower rent or nice concession. Follow these steps to negotiate confidently, regardless of what you’re asking for.
Key Takeaways
- Private landlords are more open to negotiating rent, lease terms, and concessions, unlike larger property management companies with fixed pricing structures.
- Timing matters — winter months, falling local rent trends, or a strong tenant history can boost your bargaining power for reduced rent or lease perks.
- Renters can also explore alternatives like concessions, lease takeovers, or other compromises when lower rent isn’t possible.
Step 1: Is It Worth It to Negotiate Rent?
Depending on your landlord and situation, it may or may not be a good idea to negotiate with them. When it comes to large property management companies, their rent prices and terms are often set in stone with very little wiggle room for negotiations.
If you have a private landlord, you might have more flexibility. Independent owners are more open to changing terms such as rent prices, length, and renewal options. This makes it easier to get a lease that fits you.
Step 2: Research Area Rent Trends
Research the rent trends in your area, especially if you live in a major city. Don’t stop at just the city but research rent prices within your neighborhood as well. Different neighborhoods have varying average rents. You can’t tell if you are paying the market rate or getting a good deal if you don’t do your research.
Step 3: Determine the Rent Price
Go over your budget and determine the rent price that you would ideally like to negotiate your landlord down to. Make sure this amount is aligned with the rent comps in your area. While landing your ideal price is the goal, be prepared to stay flexible. Your landlord might not offer the exact number but could still agree to a lower rate and every bit counts.
Knowing this information is crucial when negotiating with your landlord. If you go in without a number in mind, you could end up agreeing to something you can’t afford or requesting a rent amount that’s out of range for your area’s rental rates.
Step 3: Reach Out to Your Landlord
Reach out to your landlord and let them know you want to negotiate. Email, writing a letter, or using Apartments.com’s messaging platform is fine if you prefer to get your thoughts organized and written out. It also creates a record of communication which is always handy to have. Or you can call or leave a voicemail that details your intentions.
When you actually conduct the negotiations, it is best to have an in-person discussion with your landlord. Being face-to-face shows you’re serious about sticking around but also open to finding common ground. It’s also easier to have a productive conversation as you can communicate clearly in person.
Step 4: Time It Right
The season can affect how receptive landlords are to negotiations. During the slow winter season, landlords may be more open to discussions as it is harder to find renters during that time since the rental market is less active.
Step 5: Start Negotiating with Your Landlord
Now comes the hard part: sitting down and negotiating with your landlord. While there’s no script to stick to, going in with a game plan and strategy increases your chances of coming out with a favorable outcome.
Use rent trends research
You’ve done your research and now it’s time to use it. Show your landlord what similar apartments are renting for, especially those with the same number of bedrooms, amenities, and square footage. If your rent is higher than comparable listings, you have solid grounds to ask for an adjustment to match current market rates.
Pay attention to local rent trends, too. If average rents are falling, that’s another strong argument for lowering yours.
However, if your rental is already in line with market prices, or rents are climbing, this approach may not work in your favor. You can still negotiate, but you’ll need to rely on other tactics and be ready to compromise.
Emphasize your strengths
Good renters are a landlord’s best friend, so they want to keep them around since finding new tenants is expensive and time-consuming. If you are maintaining the rental, keeping it in good condition, paying rent on time, and getting along with all your neighbors, these are great talking points for negotiations.
Sweeten the deal
Landlords prefer long-term renters, which can work in your favor if you are planning to stay put. Offer to sign a longer lease, such as a two-year lease, in exchange for a reduced rent.
Ask about concessions
Many landlords offer move-in concessions to attract tenants, so ask if they would be willing to offer you the same specials. The most common deals are reduced rent, one-month free rent, or reduced/waived security deposit.
Consider compromising with your landlord
Calmly present your best-case scenario to your landlord and work from that point. Be open to their ideas and be willing to compromise. If you are unable to negotiate a lower rent, ask your landlord if they would consider other concessions, like upgraded appliances or minor renovations.
Step 5: Explore Alternatives
While moving out might not be the ideal solution, finding a less expensive rental in the community could be an option. If you are in a position where you can move, let your landlord know that you are considering this option. If there are vacancies and you are near the end of your lease, your landlord likely won’t have any issues with the switch.
However, if you are in the middle of your lease, switching apartments would require you to break your lease. This is not ideal because it can come with consequences like pricey penalties. Discuss it with your landlord as they might be willing to waive the penalties.
Make Your Message Clear with Apartments.com
When you’re ready to start the conversation, use the messaging platform on Apartments.com to reach out directly to your landlord or property manager. Messaging through the platform keeps all your communication in one place, so you can easily review past conversations, confirm agreement details, and stay organized during negotiations.
It’s a secure and efficient way to discuss your lease, request updates, or ask about potential rent adjustments — without worrying about lost emails or missed calls. Whether you’re negotiating a renewal or exploring your options, Apartments.com makes it simple to keep the conversation professional and productive.
This article was originally published on November 13, 2020.
FAQs
Can you negotiate rent?
Yes, you can negotiate rent, especially if you rent from a private landlord who has flexibility with pricing and lease terms. Larger property management companies often have set rates, but it’s still worth asking if there’s room for adjustment. The key is to do your research on local rent trends, present a reasonable request, and highlight your reliability as a tenant.
How do you deal with a rent increase?
Most landlords can and do raise rent once the lease term is over (they can’t do it mid-lease). Compare the new rate to similar apartments in your area to gauge whether it’s still a fair price. If the increase feels too steep, try discussing it with your landlord. Sometimes, you can negotiate a smaller increase or a longer lease term at the current rate. If the higher rent doesn’t fit your budget, it might be time to move instead of renewing.
