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…
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?
Congradulations! If you would have told him $950.00 a month you would have got it too. But anyway Live long and prosper.
we got it for 1,100.
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!
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.
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.
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
$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…
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.
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.