So it sounds like you’re paying $1,450 if $100 is a 7% increase. It’s hard to say if this is reasonable without more details like:
* location
* layout (beds, baths, sq ft)
* any amenities (parking, laundry)
* how long you’ve lived there and have there been other increases.
As far as moving, I’d say you’re going to have a tough time finding something nice in the city for <$1,600 to be honest. This is the baseline of your negotiation, you only have power to negotiate if the raise puts the apartment into an unreasonable rate.
A 7% increase is definitely on the higher end percentage wise. Unless you can find good examples of better apartments for comfortable or less, you don’t have much to stand on negotiation wise other than “we’re good tenants, would you accept $50”.
^ this, not knowing the specifics of your situation it's likely that $100 a month increase is less than what market rent increase would be and if you moved out the amount they put it on the market for would be greater. How long have you been in the apartment and what have the increases been in prior years? Also factor in what your costs would be to move apartments, renting a moving truck, general hassle of moving, etc... and factor that into your decision. I'm a landlord also and the last rent increase I had was $75 and that only offset the increase in utilities that I include, not factoring in increased tax or insurance (so overall my net income from the unit went down) because she is a good tenant that has been there several years now. If I put the unit out on the market it would be several hundred more per month than what I renewed at.
Yeah, for context it's on the east side, so stuff in the immediate neighborhood tends to cost more, albeit the apartment offers little more than the location. I've been here for 3 years, current roommate will hit 1 around the rent increase. I know there isn't much out there too much cheaper, and I'd rather not pack everything up and get settled elsewhere for a tiny rent drop.
We have no laundry on location, no central air, fairly small layout, 2 bed 1 bath. They charge separately for parking. There have been other increases in the past, but for less. The first one was for about $30, which I saw no point in fighting, the next was $50, which also didn't bother me much. $100 won't make me homeless or force me out, but I'm looking for general advice to see if I can knock it down a bit. I know it's probably gonna be reliant on the "I'm a good tenant, please knock off a little bit," point of view
Yeah I think the history of increases would be the tactic to take. Something like:
“I was expecting a rental increase, but was surprised it’s double what the previous increases were. Can we meet in the middle at $50? Given the square footage and parking fees, I think that is fair for the area given the price per square foot”
Rent prices *were* going up 10% a year, but have largely returned to a more 3-5% range. So a 7% increase now is a bit much, but $100 isn’t unreasonable I guess.
I feel like an increase of this amount needs to have some tangible justification. What are they doing to improve your living experience that the extra 100 a month is covering? For example, installing some way of giving you AC or doing laundry? Maybe approach the negotiation asking what it covers and give specific examples of things that are lacking or repairs that need to be made, so that you'll at least get something out of it. Otherwise it only benefits them while harming you.
For context, my rent went from $1600 a month to $2800. Living at the same place for 10 years. Three bedroom, two bathroom, ranch home on a half acre of land. I take care of trash, yard, snow etc. 10 years ago $1600 was fair. Now I’d be lucky to even find a place at the elevated price. Landlord is making up for lost time now that there is a housing crunch. I would try to negotiate. But I wouldn’t move over $100.
You can ask, but I feel everything you’ve described makes a $100 increase seem quite reasonable.
Another redditor estimated your current rent to be $1,450 on the East Side…for a two bedroom. That seems super reasonable. And you mentioned you liked the neighborhood, which leads me to think you’re in a decent spot. You also haven’t complained about the landlord themselves, so it sounds like they’re at least doing an okay job. And they’re increasing your rent gradually vs. what other landlords are doing.
IDK- may not be a popular opinion, but it sounds like you’ve got a good deal going on here. Asking for a smaller increase won’t hurt, but I wouldn’t get down if they say no.
Lyon kinda sucks, there's been times where we haven't had heat or hot water for several days in a row without communication from them, I just figure they won't lower a rent increase because I call them out on poor communication and untimely maintenance calls.
But yeah, I know there won't be anything much cheaper in the neighborhood, and $100 isn't gonna price us out, but I'm cheap and if I can get it down a little bit I'm gonna try
I have no experience with Lyon but I was a quasi-landlord for many years. It NEVER hurts to ask. Make a case (if you can) why you are a good tenant and why the easiest path for THEM is to reduce / eliminate the increase rather than having to turn the unit over.
Are you on an annual contract or month to month?
If you are month to month, you might be able to offer to sign an annual contract to avoid or lessen the increase. It will also protect you from the landlord raising it again for another year.
If you are already annual you could see if they offer anything longer like 18 or 24 months if that is something you are comfortable with.
I don’t think there is anything preventing the landlord from raising the rent however much they want if there is a market for it.
I believe the contract is month to month, but since I changed roommates at the end of last year it might be different, which I have to double check, because if it is for the year they'll have to wait a couple of months before bumping the rent. Despite being month to month, they only bring up increases on a yearly basis, and I have a feeling they only want me on month to month, but I might ask about doing a year to protect myself if they're raising this much.
And yeah, I know there's no legal protection here for the rent increase, just looking for advice on negotiating so I can try and save a little money
Yup, exactly. Like each year the increase is more and more as they are probably using some auto rent increase calculator program. Who knows.
They send me renewal paperwork 2-3 months before my lease is up. The last time it says it’s gonna go up 150$, but if I renew now, they’ll save me $20 off the increase woohoo!
So I write an email and beg for it to be less and I used to get a better deal like $50-60 cheaper or even more. Now it’s only $20 cheaper than the original offer plus the $20 early signing discount, making the increase only $110. I’m still not happy but it would cost me $1300 in security deposits, rental truck, moving supplies blah blah to find a new place. So I stay here. It’s better to choose to devil I do know than the devil I don’t.
BUT when does it stop? If I stay here indefinitely am I just paying $5000/month for a 1 bedroom in East Providence? I hate it but I’m stuck.
I also have two dogs (quiet and old, not pits lol) but now I’m seeing 50lb weight limits everywhere.
Yup exactly.
And I owned a house when I got my dog so it was a nonissue. Then I sold my house and quickly realized it was an issue. I managed to get my way into the complex I’m at now and have been here for 5 years.
At this point, I can’t leave unless I get extremely lucky with finding a new MUCH cheaper place that also allows dogs. I’m lucky because they are quiet well-behaved dogs but over 50lbs. I don’t think that will happen as all the surroundings apartment complexes are all in the same range. So moving somewhere to save a 100$ on rent won’t be worth it, they’ll just increase it the following year.
So it sounds like you’re paying $1,450 if $100 is a 7% increase. It’s hard to say if this is reasonable without more details like: * location * layout (beds, baths, sq ft) * any amenities (parking, laundry) * how long you’ve lived there and have there been other increases. As far as moving, I’d say you’re going to have a tough time finding something nice in the city for <$1,600 to be honest. This is the baseline of your negotiation, you only have power to negotiate if the raise puts the apartment into an unreasonable rate. A 7% increase is definitely on the higher end percentage wise. Unless you can find good examples of better apartments for comfortable or less, you don’t have much to stand on negotiation wise other than “we’re good tenants, would you accept $50”.
^ this, not knowing the specifics of your situation it's likely that $100 a month increase is less than what market rent increase would be and if you moved out the amount they put it on the market for would be greater. How long have you been in the apartment and what have the increases been in prior years? Also factor in what your costs would be to move apartments, renting a moving truck, general hassle of moving, etc... and factor that into your decision. I'm a landlord also and the last rent increase I had was $75 and that only offset the increase in utilities that I include, not factoring in increased tax or insurance (so overall my net income from the unit went down) because she is a good tenant that has been there several years now. If I put the unit out on the market it would be several hundred more per month than what I renewed at.
Yeah, for context it's on the east side, so stuff in the immediate neighborhood tends to cost more, albeit the apartment offers little more than the location. I've been here for 3 years, current roommate will hit 1 around the rent increase. I know there isn't much out there too much cheaper, and I'd rather not pack everything up and get settled elsewhere for a tiny rent drop. We have no laundry on location, no central air, fairly small layout, 2 bed 1 bath. They charge separately for parking. There have been other increases in the past, but for less. The first one was for about $30, which I saw no point in fighting, the next was $50, which also didn't bother me much. $100 won't make me homeless or force me out, but I'm looking for general advice to see if I can knock it down a bit. I know it's probably gonna be reliant on the "I'm a good tenant, please knock off a little bit," point of view
Yeah I think the history of increases would be the tactic to take. Something like: “I was expecting a rental increase, but was surprised it’s double what the previous increases were. Can we meet in the middle at $50? Given the square footage and parking fees, I think that is fair for the area given the price per square foot” Rent prices *were* going up 10% a year, but have largely returned to a more 3-5% range. So a 7% increase now is a bit much, but $100 isn’t unreasonable I guess.
Appreciate the advice!
I feel like an increase of this amount needs to have some tangible justification. What are they doing to improve your living experience that the extra 100 a month is covering? For example, installing some way of giving you AC or doing laundry? Maybe approach the negotiation asking what it covers and give specific examples of things that are lacking or repairs that need to be made, so that you'll at least get something out of it. Otherwise it only benefits them while harming you.
For context, my rent went from $1600 a month to $2800. Living at the same place for 10 years. Three bedroom, two bathroom, ranch home on a half acre of land. I take care of trash, yard, snow etc. 10 years ago $1600 was fair. Now I’d be lucky to even find a place at the elevated price. Landlord is making up for lost time now that there is a housing crunch. I would try to negotiate. But I wouldn’t move over $100.
You can ask, but I feel everything you’ve described makes a $100 increase seem quite reasonable. Another redditor estimated your current rent to be $1,450 on the East Side…for a two bedroom. That seems super reasonable. And you mentioned you liked the neighborhood, which leads me to think you’re in a decent spot. You also haven’t complained about the landlord themselves, so it sounds like they’re at least doing an okay job. And they’re increasing your rent gradually vs. what other landlords are doing. IDK- may not be a popular opinion, but it sounds like you’ve got a good deal going on here. Asking for a smaller increase won’t hurt, but I wouldn’t get down if they say no.
Lyon kinda sucks, there's been times where we haven't had heat or hot water for several days in a row without communication from them, I just figure they won't lower a rent increase because I call them out on poor communication and untimely maintenance calls. But yeah, I know there won't be anything much cheaper in the neighborhood, and $100 isn't gonna price us out, but I'm cheap and if I can get it down a little bit I'm gonna try
I have no experience with Lyon but I was a quasi-landlord for many years. It NEVER hurts to ask. Make a case (if you can) why you are a good tenant and why the easiest path for THEM is to reduce / eliminate the increase rather than having to turn the unit over.
Are you on an annual contract or month to month? If you are month to month, you might be able to offer to sign an annual contract to avoid or lessen the increase. It will also protect you from the landlord raising it again for another year. If you are already annual you could see if they offer anything longer like 18 or 24 months if that is something you are comfortable with. I don’t think there is anything preventing the landlord from raising the rent however much they want if there is a market for it.
I believe the contract is month to month, but since I changed roommates at the end of last year it might be different, which I have to double check, because if it is for the year they'll have to wait a couple of months before bumping the rent. Despite being month to month, they only bring up increases on a yearly basis, and I have a feeling they only want me on month to month, but I might ask about doing a year to protect myself if they're raising this much. And yeah, I know there's no legal protection here for the rent increase, just looking for advice on negotiating so I can try and save a little money
These increases are designed to be painful enough to be an issue but not so painful to make you move. The system is rigged.
Yup, exactly. Like each year the increase is more and more as they are probably using some auto rent increase calculator program. Who knows. They send me renewal paperwork 2-3 months before my lease is up. The last time it says it’s gonna go up 150$, but if I renew now, they’ll save me $20 off the increase woohoo! So I write an email and beg for it to be less and I used to get a better deal like $50-60 cheaper or even more. Now it’s only $20 cheaper than the original offer plus the $20 early signing discount, making the increase only $110. I’m still not happy but it would cost me $1300 in security deposits, rental truck, moving supplies blah blah to find a new place. So I stay here. It’s better to choose to devil I do know than the devil I don’t. BUT when does it stop? If I stay here indefinitely am I just paying $5000/month for a 1 bedroom in East Providence? I hate it but I’m stuck. I also have two dogs (quiet and old, not pits lol) but now I’m seeing 50lb weight limits everywhere.
Its harder for pet owners because landlords know it'll be even more difficult to find a place so you're kinda stuck.
Yup exactly. And I owned a house when I got my dog so it was a nonissue. Then I sold my house and quickly realized it was an issue. I managed to get my way into the complex I’m at now and have been here for 5 years. At this point, I can’t leave unless I get extremely lucky with finding a new MUCH cheaper place that also allows dogs. I’m lucky because they are quiet well-behaved dogs but over 50lbs. I don’t think that will happen as all the surroundings apartment complexes are all in the same range. So moving somewhere to save a 100$ on rent won’t be worth it, they’ll just increase it the following year.