RENT DILEMMA of sorts

[HellNoHellYeah]

I've been in my rental flat for nigh on a year. I've been looking around for a new flat as I'm not sure whether or not I want to continue my tenancy. My flat is a 1-bed. I notice that 1-bed flats in my building that are exactly the same, or better, than mine, are going for ?50 to ?75 a month less than I am paying. In fact, even 2-beds in my building are less or the same as what I am currently paying. I like my flat and would seriously consider staying but I'm not getting value for money. Would it be reasonable of me to ask my landlord for a rent reduction of, say, ?25 a month? If I move out and the landlord has to re-rent it he's almost certainly going to have to lower the rent by ?50 a month anyway plus the flat might stand empty for a while while he secures a new tenant. Presumably the fact that I always pay on time and have been no hassle whatsoever is something of a bargaining chip.

Any landlords reading this: would you be inclined to try to keep a tenant you already know is solvent and trouble-free?

[charliecharlie]

why not tell him you are thinking of moving flats (maybe to another one in the same block), as you can get better value elsewhere, but that you would consider staying if he matched the prices that others are paying in your building?

Everyone is asking for rent reductions at the mo... it is a good time to negotiate a fair price that reflects the current downward shift..

good luck

cc

[Mick Mac]

Yes - what CC says is the correct way to approach it.

I rent a flat out and my tenants are good payers - if they asked for a reduction I would consider it - I think however the rent I charge is def not higher than others, they have been in the same place for nearly 3 years and the rent has been the same but yes a landlord will not want an empty flat and you should not pay more than the market rent so there should be some room for bargaining. Also his mortgage payments will most likely have fallen so he should have some profit at the mo - in fact he may even be expecting your call.

And there is nothing lost in asking (twice).

[SteveT]

I would arrange a flat that you would benefit moving into, when that was established then tell your landlord (with hearty exuberence) that you are moving, because you have found flat 'X' which is cheaper by x pounds and more convenient.

He might match it,

if he does you might get brave and try to knock off an extra 10% for the convenience, space, etc.

Best of luck.

[HellNoHellYeah]

Thanks for the replies all. Steve - not quite sure what you mean about getting 10% knocked off for "convenience and space". Can you explain further? Thnx

SteveT Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I would arrange a flat that you would benefit

> moving into, when that was established then tell

> your landlord (with hearty exuberence) that you

> are moving, because you have found flat 'X' which

> is cheaper by x pounds and more convenient.

>

> He might match it,

>

> if he does you might get brave and try to knock

> off an extra 10% for the convenience, space, etc.

>

> Best of luck.

[ruffers]

Where's the dilemma?

Ask for discount.

Answer is yes or no - make decision.

[Horsebox]

ruffers Wrote:

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> Where's the dilemma?

> Ask for discount.

>

> Answer is yes or no - make decision.

Direct you are, ruffers, but speak the truth you do.

Ask for a discount. Neither you nor your landlord are doing each other any favours.

Or perhaps you are....in which case a discount is the least you should be asking for.