Any luck negotiating with landlords? (Raleigh: apartment, renter, house)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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My husband and I are finally moving to Raleigh after several long months of job searches. He got an offer and we're moving in 3 weeks. We're talking to landlords and property managers and are wondering if anyone has had luck negotiating with them? For example, the house is perfect except for the carpets. Has anyone tried to suggest "I'll sign a year lease if you replace the carpets with pergo?", or replace the stove, etc. I'm a chicken when it comes to negotiating but there's often just one thing wrong with the house.
for more info: we're looking to rent a single family in the $1200-1600 range close to State and the beltline and have one child and two dogs.
I think that you can ASK for anything if you don't draw a line in the sand. But that being said, the rental market around here is pretty saturated with renters, and inventory seems to be at a low (I don't have any insight, other than having recently shopped for an apartment). I'd say that you don't hold a lot of leverage as a renter, because there are probably 10 people in line for the same house, ESPECIALLY if it is pet-friendly, and worth living in, and a great deal.
So yeah, you can "ask", but I would not make a demand unless you are prepared to walk.
AFTERTHOUGHT:
Also, it occurs to me as I type:
If you have a dog, I doubt anyone is going to be interested in putting in Pergo, it will only get scratched and not be new by the time you move out....
Hi, I don't think you'll have much luck with negotiating. There is high demand in Raleigh to rent single-family homes. Especially in the areas and price range you are looking at.
It never hurts to ASK. And then ASK AGAIN! Remember...if a place is for rent, the landlord wants to rent it and if they haven't had lots of potential renters looking at the property, they may be more willing to negotiate. If you don't ask, you won't get!
With the rental market being squarely in favor of landlords right now, I doubt you'd get very far asking for things like Pergo installed. Think of it from the landlord's point of view. If their renter destroys carpet, it's cheap to replace and could very well be covered in full by the security deposit. If Pergo gets destroyed, it's much more expensive to replace and you'd most likely be left billing the renter and hoping you don't have to send them to collections to get your money back.
Sure you can ask, but you may have better luck specifying "new flooring" not just limiting it to Pergo. Homes go quickly down here so there's likely someone willing to rent it "as is" right behind you. We're in a rental right now and there were 4 other families looking at the house we're in currently. Others were getting swooped up before we could get to them.
Now, if you were going to rent the house we're in, I'd say negotiate waaaay down as floors creak, doors don't close, electrical is messed up, the floors and counters slant, it is very breezy (think living in swiss cheese) and we're positive there is paranormal activity. Cute from the outside though.
I can't imagine a landlord wanting to spend the $$ on new flooring before a tenant moves in with two dogs. Plus, not everyone likes Pergo so that may limit the rental desirability in the future.
Sure you can ask, but you may have better luck specifying "new flooring" not just limiting it to Pergo. Homes go quickly down here so there's likely someone willing to rent it "as is" right behind you. We're in a rental right now and there were 4 other families looking at the house we're in currently. Others were getting swooped up before we could get to them.
Now, if you were going to rent the house we're in, I'd say negotiate waaaay down as floors creak, doors don't close, electrical is messed up, the floors and counters slant, it is very breezy (think living in swiss cheese) and we're positive there is paranormal activity. Cute from the outside though.
Thanks all! I mentioned Pergo because I was (stupidly) thinking it was cheap laminate that was easier to replace than carpet. I know that dogs can be tough on hardwood and carpet so was looking for something easier. We're good dog owners and take care of homes but there's always that risk. So, cncsmomndad, where are you moving? Are you looking at another rental or buying? Just curious!
Sounds like I need to be very careful in my discussions so as not to negotiate myself OUT in this market.
We're buying new construction to be completed in June. Our "Caspar" has started physically moving things in the house this past week which makes it interesting.
I think cncsmomndad needs to post in the Haunted Raleigh thread that is in this forum somewhere!
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