bostonbubble.com

[rentorbuy]

For those renters out there, what have people been experiencing in terms of rents for renewals (where you are staying in your current place) and moving into new places?

* for renewals, were you able to negotiate down a rent increase?
* for new places, were you able to negotiate lease terms, rent amts etc?

i'm in the market for a rental and realize i'm off the aug/sept cycle. was wondering if i'd be able to negotiate rental rates in boston proper.

[balor123]

I live in Waltham in a high end apartment complex. Earlier this summer I know of two residents who the complex tried to jack up the rates significantly on and they were able to negotiate them down. I tried later in the summer but was unsuccessful, partly because my rates only went up a few percent but also, more importantly, because occupancy is very high right now. Based on data from the past 3 months, the rates should have started dropping two months ago but they are barely budging. I'm still holding out for a Nov - Feb drop.

[SamChady]

I was able to get my rent to not go up. I did this first by always paying on time, keeping the apartment in perfect condition, letting my landlord know of any issues, and not bothering him for trivial things - like batteries in smoke detectors, light bulbs, inconvenient things that were non-functional, etc.

Then, I went to him with a proposal a few months ahead of renewal. The proposal was, "We are great tenants, causing you no issues and paying on time. Although I am not asking to be rewarded for doing what is right, you and I both know that the average tenant is a PITA. Would you please consider freezing my rent so it would make my decision to stay easier."

My rent stayed at the same level.

[Guest]

I am in same position as above. If you have an average Joe Plumber landlord and not a big company that gets paid to deal with your BS. Keep you place habitable, pay on time, dont jerk with him on little things and kindly request your rent to stay the same well ahead of the lease renewal.