Craig PornoreyYou’ll want to make sure you get a great deal when closing in on a rental contract. Downloading a free rent agreement form is just one way you can find terms that work for you. Here are seven ways you can negotiate a fair lease with a property owner.
Check the Rental Market
Look at the average rent rates in your area. If the property you have your eye on is high in price without a justification, you can challenge them on this. Contact them to say the current rent rate isn’t feasible or fair. Don’t be afraid to point to the rental market to prove it.
There are a lot of desperate tenants-to-be who would accept any stable arrangement, even if it’s above market prices. But it’s still worth mentioning if the rent is higher than it should be. In some cases (though not many), this can actually convince the landlord to lower it.
Bring Quality References
Some landlords are quite strict with their lease terms. In many cases, this is because they want to avoid any trouble on their property. If you give them peace of mind, they might be much more lenient. The best way to do this is through a reference from your previous landlord.
This written or verbal statement stands as a testament to your time as a tenant. If they’re in the same area, the landlords might even run in the same circles. Either way, your next landlord may be open to negotiating if they know you’re a great, trustworthy renter.
Look at Online Templates
Pre-made rent agreements outline a tenant’s basic rights. Any lease you sign should use this as a starting point. If a landlord objects to these general terms, this is quite a big red flag. An online template also shows you what every lease needs for it to be legally binding.
On this topic, make sure you find a template that fits your state. Each one has different housing and renting regulations to be mindful of. You might even be able to convince the landlord to use your template. If they say no, ask about the one they plan to use.
Check State Laws
It also helps to look at your state legislation beyond the lease agreement. This could give you a clearer idea of your rights. You must also check for any changes to these laws. For example, the State of California recently limited security deposits to one month of rent.
If you’re moving from one state to another, some landlords might take advantage of this. Even if you know the full rules in your home state, they could seriously differ in your ‘new’ state. Always do your research before a negotiation; this helps you challenge an unfair agreement.
Discuss Pet Policies
Many lease agreements put a ban on owning a pet. They sometimes only allow small pets, such as a guinea pig. This is because they worry about an animal causing damage to the home. You might be able to fix this just by having a conversation with the landlord.
Ultimately, most property owners just want their investment to be safe. If you can prove to them that you understand the responsibility, they might be willing to relax their rules. Any documents that show proof of vaccinations or spaying will also help with your case.
Consider a Longer Lease
Finding a tenant might be easy on-paper for landlords, but it can be a stressful time. If you offer to sign a longer lease, you take this stress away from them. This gives them peace of mind that they won’t have to rush to find a new tenant.
As an extra bonus, this saves you from rent increases in the meantime. It might seem like a big commitment, but offering to stay for an extra year could make things easier for everyone. Only do this if you’re sure you’ll be able to stay for a long time.
Ask For Extras
If you can’t lower your current rent, you could maybe ask to get more from it. Ultimately, you pay for a service from the landlord. It’s your right to ask them for a better one. This can include new furniture and appliances — or even free housekeeping services.
You might not get everything you ask for. But it’s always worth trying. Prepare to negotiate these add-ons as soon as you mention them. This could easily end in a compromise. In any case, you might get something that makes the rent price feel a lot fairer.
Conclusion
If you know what to ask for, you can get exactly what you want from your lease. However, many landlords will try to get away with giving the bare minimum. Make sure to use a pre-made lease template where you can in order to guarantee your tenant rights.
