Nowadays, we understand the reasons that the people out there can’t own a home because of the economy downturn and inflation. This global economy issues let us can’t afford to buy a home to ourselves and it’s force us can only rent a house or even a room to imagine that that is our home.
However, renting a house/ room have many existing rules to restrict our living styles —- sometimes. Well, we tell you that some of things in the lease agreements are negotiable and all the thing you need to do is open your mouth to ask for it. Renters could negotiate for more terms especially when the landlord is eager to rent out a particular unit.
Here are 5 things of your lease agreements that you can be actually negotiated.
➊ Pet Policies
Although more of a longshot, pet policies and fees are negotiable in some situations, particularly if an animal is small, quiet, and has never shown signs of aggression.
Likewise, if an apartment allows pets of a certain size or species only, savvy renters may be able to get their Newfoundland through the door by offering a few extra dollars in rent each month.
This is one of the frequently asked question that the renters would negotiate with their landlords. If your landlord indicate no pet allow in the house/ room, don’t give up! You can build relationship with the landlord. It can be just simply paying the rent on time, don’t give any troubles to landlord and take care well of landlord property. After few months, you can negotiate with landlord for this matter again and the result may be differ.
➋ Security deposits
If a security deposit requirement seems unreasonable, counter with a more sensible figure. Taking into account deposit limits set by statute in some jurisdictions, renters may be able to negotiate a lower figure, particularly if they can offer references and a record of responsible rental maintenance.
If a landlord really needs to get a unit under contract, he or she might be willing to budge on this issue.
Security deposits also known as upfront payment of rents. Renters are usually need to pay for 3 months security deposit plus current month rentals. It’s depending on landlord, some landlord may require the renters to pay 6 months security deposit but some only require 1 month, these security deposit is refundable if the contract is ended. If your landlord ask for 6 months security deposit and you’re cash tight, you can negotiate with the landlord to change it to 3 months. Can be succeed or not, depend on your negotiation skills.
➌ Access to amenities
If the building has certain amenities — such as a gym, pool or on-site wellness center — that require additional monthly fees, renters may be able to negotiate for these to be included in the cost of monthly rent.
As with security deposits, renters gain leverage by showing a stellar record of on-time payments and by providing a list of previous landlords willing to vouch for their predictability and consistency.
Also, potential renewal tenants may benefit from negotiating with the landlord for the inclusion of amenities for the new rental term.
Before signing the lease agreements, do ask the landlord whether the rentals included in the cost of amenities (only applicable in apartment or condo that the building comes with amenities). If it is, you can then enjoy the amenities anytime. But, if it doesn’t and you want to use those amenities, negotiate with the landlord about it.
➍ Parking passes and guest policies
Landlords understandably discourage renters from hosting large numbers of guests. However, tenants should not feel unnecessarily burdened by a cumbersome guest policy or insufficient parking for visitors.
For instance, if a landlord is willing to offer just one parking pass, it may be worth negotiating for two or three passes so visitors can park safely and close by.
Likewise, if a lease agreement imposes limits on overnight guests, be sure to assert that this unduly restricts the number of close friends and family members who can stay over. Then, mention that it might be better to continue your search. You may be surprised how quickly this lease term evaporates from the agreement.
If a house come with a parking pass and you don’t really need it, you can rent it to other units so it can help you to pay a small part of your monthly rental. For guest policies, you may need to read the lease agreement thoroughly, to check whether this policies do exist in lease agreement. Some of the landlord may just telling you that you can’t have friends and families member to stay over night, but they didn’t insert this policies into lease agreement. However, do mind the living style of neighborhood, if its silent place and no noise after 12:00 am, make sure you won’t break the neighborhood living style and bring troubles to your landlord.
➎ Monthly rent
This is one of the biggest — and most difficult — lease agreement terms to successfully negotiate. However, it’s in the landlord’s best interest to keep units filled and profitable, and the introductory rent is likely much higher than the landlord or owner actually needs to realize said profit. If you are a tenant with no history of eviction, late rent, damage, civil judgments, or general rental issues, you stand a strong chance of getting a rental rate reduction.
When negotiating this term, be reasonable and understanding of the landlord’s position. Also keep in mind that a low-ball counteroffer will quickly turn the discussion sour.
Last but not least, if you are renewal tenants, you can negotiate with the landlord about the monthly rent. If the landlord wanted to increase the rent, you can ask for the reasons and like the above said, understand of the landlord’s position only decide whether to compromise or take the further negotiation. Like we mentioned earlier, everything in the lease agreements are negotiable except the legal matters as the landlord can’t do anything on it. Additionally, negotiation skill is matter on everything as it will affect the final result. So, train and improve its skills to let yourself have a chance to get the better deals.
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