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September 18, 2009
Signing 1-Year Lease
I found a nice apartment in Bay Ridge. The current tenant (a friend of the gf) pays 1,100 a month. She warned us that the landlord might want to raise it to 1200, as he raises it "for every new tenant". I've read people actually bargaining down prices in rent. How can I go about telling him not to raise it? His selling point is we have the backyard to ourselves. Its pretty big. The apartment too is about 800 square feet. We really want the place. Any thoughts?
Comments
I live in Bay Ridge and you can tell him that you can easily find another 1 bedroom for 1100. I've know people who pay that much for lovely apts. He might get you on the yard space though. That's pretty sweet -1100 for a yard too!!!
Posted by: italiana71 at September 18, 2009 10:54 AM
You can't "tell him not to raise" the rent. He owns the place.
If you can walk away from the apartment and you are willing to walk away from the apartment you can tell the landlord that you'll sign a lease for $1,100 but not $1,200.
And the landlord can either say "OK, $1,100 it is!" or "Sorry, the rent is $1,200, if you don't want to pay it, I'll find someone else!"
Then you'll find out how much you really want the place, and you'll either pay $1,200 or find another place to live.
That's about all there is to it really.
Be professional and honest about it and expect to be treated the same way.
Posted by: northsloperenter at September 18, 2009 11:08 AM
You can "ask" him not to raise it by offering to pay the current rent and get a good reference. Then s/he can either agree or rent it to someone else who will pay more. You are more likely to be successful if you are willing to walk away from the apartment or if the landlord thinks s/he will have difficulty renting it immediately.
Posted by: Putnamdenizen at September 18, 2009 11:09 AM
the landlord doesnt want to list it. he asked the current tenant (a friend/coworker of my gf) to find someone. and she found us. so shes our referral :). she was there for like 3 years and really likes her.
Posted by: guikazoid at September 18, 2009 12:31 PM
$1150.
If he really wants the $1200, you really want the apartment but $1100 is you number, then maybe meeting each other half way will work for all involved.
Negotiating isn't about keeping the rent the same, or getting it reduced, it's about 2 sides coming to a mutually acceptable medium.
$1150 might lock it up if it's really *the* place for you and you don't want to lose it...
Posted by: christopher at September 18, 2009 12:51 PM
quikazoid, 1100, 1200 - both sounds like good deal. dont think 1 is a winner and other is a loser. where else can you rent a 800 sq ft unit with big back yard in a nice safe hood for that rate? give a try at negotiations but don't lose the unit
Posted by: more4less at September 18, 2009 1:05 PM
He has the right to raise the rent when the apartment turns over, and, in fact, that is a proper time to do it. He also probably doesn't want to go any amount of time with an empty apartment. I'd offer $1150 and see what happens. You can always pay the $1200 if he says no and you want it that badly. But you should expect some increase from the previous tenant usually.
Posted by: henrycurtis at September 18, 2009 2:23 PM
If the landlord really wants 1200 and lets you have it for less, he/she will find a way to raise the rent when they can on the next lease. The harder you push now the more resentful he/she may be. There is nothing wrong with asking whether the landlord is flexible. Then see what he says he is willing to do. That's where you'll get the best deal, especially if you take the time to make it clear how much you really like the place, and give a good impression of how good a tenant you will be. Do not think that apartment rents haven't been reduced, but also do not think that some rents haven't gone up with a few people bidding the price up on a good apartment. It is all about the people, the quality of the apartment, the timing, the location, etc.
Posted by: raphael9 at September 18, 2009 5:46 PM
Tweelve hundred for a 1 bedroom in Bay Ridge is way way too much for this market. You are starting to see prices like that in Carroll Gardens and Park Slope. Don't yousee all the for rent signs in the windows in Bay Ridge and Bensonherst? What does that tell you about landlords looking for responsible smart tenents? Responsible smart tenents pay less because they are smart and responsible not because they overpay! Tell your landlord take it or leave it! The tables have turned. How sweet it is!
Posted by: hannible at September 19, 2009 11:04 AM
we got it for 1,100.
Posted by: guikazoid at September 19, 2009 3:10 PM
Congradulations! If you would have told him $950.00 a month you would have got it too. But anyway Live long and prosper.
Posted by: hannible at September 19, 2009 6:21 PM
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