Whether you’re moving out for the first time or looking to lease a new flat, there might be things you want to do that first have to be approved by your landlord. In this article, we discuss three things you didn’t know you could negotiate with your landlord…
Having a positive relationship between landlord and tenant is important, so starting off on a good note is always a want but that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t negotiate particular aspects of your tenancy.
Landlords are often willing to compromise and meet in the middle with negotiations their tenants might wish to make.
However, before you initiate a negotiation, it is recommended that you get in contact with solicitors in Eastbourne, Exmouth or Exeter, that can offer advice on what you’re entitled to.
Keep reading to find out the three things you didn’t know you could negotiate with your landlord, but also how to negotiate while maintaining a positive relationship with your landlord.
How To Negotiate with Your Landlord
Know Your Rights
Before you make the decision to negotiate matters with your landlord, it is wise and recommended that you fully understand your rights as a tenant for the particular aspect you are negotiating.
If you go headfirst into negotiations with your landlord without knowing your rights, there is no guarantee you will get the outcome you desire.
Plan Ahead
Don’t walk into a meeting with your landlord without having a clear plan of action in place. Take the time to plan. This includes researching what you want to negotiate, how other people have successfully done it in the past, and how you will approach the matter with them. For instance, whether you contact them via email or letter initially or instead choose to have a face-to-face meeting.
Be Flexible
If your landlord is willing to negotiate, they may not provide an answer which aligns exactly with what it is that you want, but their negotiation on the matter could still be something more than what the previous terms of the lease were.
For further assistance on negotiation advice, see Advice Now, which can provide further tips to help with the process.
What Can You Negotiate with Your Landlord?
Rental Price
Whether you can negotiate the rental price of a property will completely depend on the demand. If there is a high demand, it is highly likely that a landlord will be willing to negotiate if it is guaranteed that someone else would pay the asking price. However, if there is less of a demand, it’s possible that they will have some leigh way to offer the property at a lower price more suited to what you are looking for.
Take the time to research the local area and find the going rate for properties similar to the one you are interested in. If they are at a lower price for a similar size, area, etc., you may have a case that the landlord is willing to consider and negotiate. For more advice on how to negotiate the rental price, see the Urban Jungle’s blog on how to negotiate rent.
You may be able to negotiate rent on a property you already live in, but it’s less likely than a property you are looking to move in. This, however, doesn’t mean that you can’t negotiate a rent increase.
Decorating The Property
Moving into your new home can obviously stir the decorating thoughts, but you might find that decorating your new pad isn’t always possible depending on your landlord, and if you go against these wishes, you could possibly lose your deposit.
While your landlord has no obligation to allow you to decorate the property, you may be able to come to a suitable arrangement with them. You could approach them asking for permission and stating that you will make sure that the property is decorated to how it was prior to moving in, making sure the paint colour is returned to the original, any holes made for hanging photos on the walls are filled in, etc. Stating that you will ensure that this does happen can help your landlord be more likely to consider allowing you to decorate.
You may find that your landlord is unwilling to allow this even after stating it will be returned to how it was originally designed. While this may be disappointing, you will have to respect their views on the situation.
Moneysupermarket.com has provided some useful insight on decorating your rented home.
Having Pets
If you already own a pet or wish to get a pet in the future but live in rented accommodation, asking your landlord about having a pet can feel daunting, but it is something some landlords are willing to reconsider
The law changed in January 2021, helping renters who have pets be more easily accepted, particularly those pets which are well behaved. This is through the Model Tenancy Agreement. This agreement means landlords are not automatically allowed to ban renters from having pets, instead needing to provide their objection in writing, with supportive reasoning for the objection.
To learn more about this, see the GOV.UK website.
You Can Negotiate with Your Landlord
Many people think the terms of their tenancy are set in place and that their landlord won’t budge, but this isn’t always the case. There’s no doubt that you will likely find a landlord that doesn’t want to know and isn’t willing to change their terms, but the vast majority are human and understand that not everything which is set out is in your best interest and will open to considering different terms.
What have you negotiated with your landlord? Let us know below.
Images:
Photo by Jeremy Bezanger from Unsplash
Photo by Gabrielle Henderson from Unsplash
Photo by Roselyn Tirado from Unsplash
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