Suggestions on Renewing Lease? (apartment, rental, new house)

[jersey86]

My lease of my 930sqft 2bd1ba apartment is up Jan. 31st, but I need to give at least 60 days notice and let them know if I plan on renewing my lease or not. I like my apartment, but I know I can find something just as nice for less money, currently I pay $667....I was thinking about writing a proposal letter asking for a cheaper rate when I renew my lease (I'd assume it would save them money since they wouldnt have another vacant apartment they'd need to try to advertise and rent out), OR asking for my price to stay the same but say I want the upgrades in my apartment (wood paneling in the bathroom/foyer/kitchen, new cabinetry, stainless steel fixtures, ceiling fan in living/bedroom)...the complex offers upgrades, but you have to pay PER upgrade, which can add upto about $100/mth...which to me, I find a bit ridiculous, but that's just my opinion. Any suggestions on this and how to go about it? Any advice is greatly appreciated.


**Oh, I also want to mention that I'm on the first floor and both bedrooms windows are right up against mine and my upstairs neighbor's AC/Heat unit, which is VERY loud!! So maybe it would benefit me to mention that in my proposal since it's an annoyance....fortunately, I'm a heavy sleeper, so I don hear it at night, but I've had friends stay over and mention how loud and annoying it is...and so much for me opening the windows and enjoying the nice weather and birds chirping, because if my neighbors decide to put their AC/Heat on, that tunes out EVERYTHING.

[zinner]

I would just find a new place.

[saturnfan]

I second that.

Living through the upgrades you mentioned would be a nightmare, especially the cabinets.

[jersey86]

Well, I dont think the upgrades would take more than a couple days, maybe longer, but if i planned on staying at the apartment for another year, it might be worth it in the long-run...I think that me having to pack up all my things, rent a rental truck, load up my pets and 55 gallon aquarium(s), pay application fees would be more of a nightmare.

Also, I just took over someones lease for this apartment last month because they were moving for a job, so I'll have only been here 4months by the time my lease is up, and would rather not have to go thru the headache of moving again, thats why Im trying to see if I can negotiate with my current landlord.

[redjuel]

Definitely negotiate. They always want tenants to stay. My lease was up in September and when the 60 period was coming up, they offered me a ton of incentives to stay including one month of free rent, lower rent payments, upgrades, etc. I wasn't staying because I was moving into my new house but it was nice to know the things they were planning on offering.

[ladyvet2006]

It never hurts to ask. You may also want to do research on apartment in the area to see if another complex is offering a deal close to the current rate you have. That way you can say Apartment B offered me this rate and they can call and verify. If you don't they will likely claim that you wont be able to get a cheaper rate anywhere else. This will server as your bargaining chip.

wishing you much luck!

[jersey86]

thanks for the suggestions...im hoping february is a slow month for new tenants moving in, so maybe they'll be desperate. hah

[saturnfan]

If you transfer within the community, many landlords will not charge new fees,

Two Men and a Truck can do a transfer inexpensively so you get into a fully renovated unit.

If you leave your unit a few days for renovation work, all your stuff will be exposed to access by contractors.

[jersey86]

i dont have anything even worth anything. im a broke college student haha. but could just keep any kind of sentimental items in my car during the period. im just trying to do what i can so that i DONT have to pack up all my stuff and move AGAIN for the 7th or 8th time in 3yrs.....especially since i'll be in school 40hrs a week and working part-time, tryin to hold onto the little bit of sanity i still have left

[lovebrentwood]

As someone said, it doesn't hurt to ask.