{"id":9619,"date":"2018-10-11T10:00:36","date_gmt":"2018-10-11T14:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/content-manager\/?p=9619"},"modified":"2023-07-22T11:37:00","modified_gmt":"2023-07-22T15:37:00","slug":"negotiating-tactics-for-a-better-lease-the-second-time-around","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/negotiating-tactics-for-a-better-lease-the-second-time-around\/","title":{"rendered":"Negotiating Tactics for a Better Lease The Second Time Around"},"content":{"rendered":"

Finding the perfect New York City apartment<\/a> is like winning the lottery<\/a>. With how many bad landlords<\/a>, bad neighbors<\/a>, and bad units are out there, it is always a big relief to find somewhere that you love to live. Unfortunately, once your lease is about to end, there is a chance that your landlord will want to increase the rent or remove any promotion you had during your first year. Luckily, there are some negotiating tactics to try before packing for the next place.<\/p>\n

Initiate the Conversation Earlier Rather Than Later<\/h2>\n

The earlier that you start the conversation about renewing your lease, the more time you will have to work with them to agree. You can start the topic casually and then slowly bring up how you want to renew your lease, but not at the elevated price they are suggesting. How they respond is impossible to predict, which is why bringing it up in advance is a good call.<\/p>\n

This is important because if you open with \u201cI am not going to pay that much for a lease, what else can you do for me?\u201d, the landlord will go on the defensive immediately and likely be unwilling to consider your points. If you just reach out to negotiate a few days before you have to renew your lease, you won\u2019t have the time or negotiating power to convince them to offer you a better deal. Strike the right balance of time and temperament to catch your landlord in a good moment. If you live under a management company, you can email or schedule a time to meet with them.<\/p>\n

Research the Local Market<\/h2>\n

The more research you have done and the more you know about the rental market in your city, the better equipped you will be to negotiate a renewal. If you know it\u2019s a renters market and many places have vacancies, you can bring that up and let them know that you do indeed have other options out there. The worst thing for a landlord is a vacancy, so there is a good chance that they will be willing to work with you if they know that you know the unit will be hard to fill.<\/p>\n

You should also know what the unit you\u2019re in could realistically go for. Look at the average rents<\/a> in your neighborhood for your bedroom size. This can help determine if your landlord asked for a fair price. However, remember that units with extra amenities typically charge higher rents. Additionally, if the market is expensive in your area and they raise the rent, this negotiating tactic may not work very well.<\/p>\n

Learn more:<\/p>\n