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So I live in Crown Heights literally on the “real” border (Washington) with Prospect Heights. I pay $1500 for a 1 BR in an owner occupied building. The first time I renewed my lease there was a 3% increase to my current rent. When it was time to renew last year he wanted to increase rent again because of increased expenses ( heat, electricity for common areas) on his end. In the end he didnt cause I was a “good tenant”. My landlord has been ok though he has been slow to fix issues or with the sink, toilet and even ignored problems and with the roof.

This year I had a sick family member staying with me for a few months. My landlord knew about it in advance and hasnt said anything. Its time to renew again so I sent a letter asking for rent reduction of $75 per month and allowing me to have a cat ( an issue I have raised with my landlord before). My landlord said no to the cat. Further he said I should consider myself lucky that he isnt raising my rent given the added expenses of another occupant in the apartment.

In the past, the apartment I have was below market. Because of the rental market however that is no longer the case. In the last month I have seen many just as affordable apartments in CH, PH and CH. My current landlord keeps wanting to increase the rent and is often slow making repairs. I am thinking about finding a 1.5 BR (should the sick family member still need to stay with me) in the same area I live in now. But given my family situation I am not so sure about signing a year lease with my current landlord . I would be more willing to sign the year lease if there was something to keep me (space, additional savings, pet).

Am I being reasonable? Part of me is really tempted to leave but when I think about the hassle of moving I rethink it. On the otherhand I dont think my landlord (who is a first time owner-landlord) has really thought about the cost of repainting, repairs that have been ignored etc needed to prepare for a new tenant. Anyone have tips for negotiating with my current landlord? If not what do you Brownstoners think: should I stay or go?