How to negotiate with your landlord

Your first step is to research local laws to figure out if the proposed increase is legal. Rental laws vary widely by state and city, and some places afford renters many more protections. Track down your state’s landlord-tenant handbook — often found on the website of your city or county government, or local housing or health department — to get started.

Carefully read your lease to see if a specific rent-raising process such as this is outlined. If you find one, compare it to local laws to make sure it’s allowed. You can also contact a real estate agent for an analysis of rental prices in your area to check whether the proposed increase aligns with the overall market.

Reaching out to neighbors to inspire some collective action can also strengthen your position. Whether you create a formal tenant union or just have a conversation, building these connections can make everyone feel more supported.

Gabby Cruz, a real estate agent at Compass, recommends doing a public records search of your landlord’s name or the LLC that owns their properties, or using their basic business license number (BBL) to find which properties they’re licensed to rent. “This research is crucial because you can see how many properties they own and whether their license is active.”

[Gamemoodde]

"hey ive noticed that you are wanted in 27 states"
worked for me

[NordicDragon]

"Im increasing your rent"
"Pause"
*pauses landlord but never unpauses*

[babyliz]

My brother actually sued one of his previous landlords for his security deposit back and won. The landlord claimed my brother didnt pass his checkout (off campus student type houseing) and so he wouldnt get his deposit back. My brother countered that he was checked off by an employee and was the 1st of 6 roommates to leave, of course things would get messy when the last guy left 6 weeks later. In the process of filing a civil case, he found out the landlord was 18 month expired on his rental buiness license.
My brother got his security deposit back along with his other roommates getting theirs and the guy got a huge fine along with having to pay for the previous 18 month expiration and the next 2 years license all before he could accept renters again. It was july and school started up pretty soon.

[thenightranger]

This reminds me of the quote, “Landlords offer housing like scalpers offer tickets”

[dustinbragg]

Or in otherwords:
Appeal to their decency,
Appeal to the local market,
Appeal to the Union,
Blackmail them.

[ChefBlairSilva]

Tenant: I noticed you license is expired
Landlord: PaUsE

[conman]

This is why i study the hell out of my lease agreements. Landlord tried this two months after my 2 year renewal, but didn't have it in the contract that he could raise rent, therefore he was stuck with me for 22 months

[wilhelmschmidt]

#1 part of engaging with a landlord is to know local and state laws! They vary massively from place to place, know your rights and responsibilities. Loved the video, a great set of ideas that might help in many situations.

[colinmartin]

I feel for people who live with that. Our landlord for 10 years was a firefighter, and it was just his childhood home that he was saving for when his kid was old enough. So he frequently renovated things in it for us, totally redid and maintained the landscaping, and raised our rent all of like $50. Once. By the time we moved out, we were like 60% below market.

It sucks that he was such an exception to the rule

[GeoffrytheButler]

My friend found out his apartment was rent controlled by requesting a form from the city. He's going to be getting a huge payout because his landlord increased the rent WAY past what was allowed.

[datmando]

PAUSE. Is your landlord trying to raise your rent? Just tell him “PAUSE”. He will be frozen in place until you say “RESUME”

[Dem_Girls]

My landlord in China once tried to increase my rent... I just told him "Okay, I'll move out then" And he said Okay please stay, no more increase.
Prior to me renting the house, it had been vacant for a year and he still pays mortgage so he knew what was astake because the house was in a high end estate.

[GoTommyBoy]

Tried this after getting a 50% rent raise. Asked to speak with an actual person in a face to face meeting since it was a corporation that bought my apartment complex. They told me no and if I didn't like it get a lawyer. Told them I was gonna form a tenants union and the next day there was a cancelation of lease and letter to vacate on my door. No money for a lawyer as I lived paycheck to paycheck. This doesn't really work, at least not in my state.

[saphironkindris]

When my last landlord tried to increase the rent, I just said 'no' and when he asked why I said 'Because I don't want to pay more', and it absolutely flabbergasted him and he just walked away.

[TheKa]

Used to write leases for property management and would sit down with tenants during the process. Here are a few universal things:
1. Federal law- Fair Housing Act. Our office had the entire law on the wall as a reminder. Every year we were required to review any updates or changes to the act. Very, very few landlords or management companies can claim exemption from it and if they do, they have to have proof either locally or federally. All states have localised laws for tenancy/landlord responsibilities, but federal supercedes always.
2. Always. Read. Before. You. Sign. Ask questions if something looks like it conflicts with local or federal laws or sounds fishy. Never for example, pay your security deposit before seeing the property or signing the contract. Oldest scam ever.
3. Like the video mentions, unless specifically outlined in the lease, your rental rate cannot be altered until the contract expires. I've seen landlords try to do this and failed to even put a contract end date (hilarious), then cry and moan to the local branch of Fair Housing that they're stuck. Both landlords and tenants should read the contract in full.
4. Maintenance and contract obligations - Landlords have to outline specifically what they will cover repairs for or pre-existing damages. However, there are some basic amenities regardless the property owner is by state and/or federal law required to replace. Mostly because if they don't, it can damage other properties or is a health/sanitation hazard for the community. Make sure you look up what is covered federally and locally for you when you read your lease. If the landlord tries to say for example, they won't report/hire for repairs damaged sewage lines, call and report them locally as a sanitation hazard. Its typically a universal big no-no.
In summary, if you come across a landlord trying to use you to get a quick buck, they're a slumlord by any other name. Report their property to your local/state/or federal housing authority.

[jesse_cole]

Check into whether your landlord has been doing everything he promised. Mine promised to mow our grass, but he came only four times the whole summer, and he left big patches of grass unmowed, which meant I had been doing it myself. When he came around talking about a rent increase, I just said, "Listen, I've been mowing the grass... I'll keep doing that. Forget the rent increase." My rent stayed the same for 10 years. It's more work, but if your landlord is the lazy type, he's not going to do much for you anyway. Take advantage of that.

[thethreeo]

"Okay, okay, you dont have to pay any rent anymore! Just leave me and my family alone!"
"Pause."

[WestAirAviation]

I rent out my old house to family friends. I've charged $900 / month since 2016, and last year they started paying $1, 200 unprompted. I thought it was a mistake so when I tried to give it back they said "Oh, xxx across the street pays $1, 800 and we we don't want to take advantage."

8 Billion people on Earth and I guarantee this is the first time this has ever happened anywhere. Blew my mind.

[かわいい猫ですよ]

I am so grateful my landlord was not a jerk. We rented our house for 12 years before buying it.

[twitch]

A tenants union is the real move. Your whole building together has a lot of power.