How to Negotiate Lower Rent with Your Landlord
Thanks to SF Gate for letting us know that highlighting stories about how some local tenants are negotiating with landlords to reduce their rent.
In an article published Thursday, reporter Emily Blaire highlighted several instances of Bay Area renters getting lower rent like 20% off a house in the Excelsior, $900/month of a condo in Hayes Valley and six weeks free rent in Jack London Square.
Other Stories You Might Like:
- Renters in SF May Finally Have More Negotiating Power – 8/4/20 – Funcheap
- SF’s Biggest Landlord Forgives 50% of Missed Rent for 4 Months – 8/7/20 – Funcheap
- Record-Breaking SF Rent Drop. Prices Down 11.8% from 2019 – 7/5/20 – Funcheap
Not only has there been a national trend of renters able to get their rent reduced (Apartment List reported in April that 11% of U.S. renters were able to lower their rent), but in the Bay Area specifically, there is an additional lowering of demand for rentals as some workers have left San Francisco as many local tech companies allowed more remote work.
Want to negotiate with your landlord?
The SF Gate has prepared some tips for you based on speaking with successful negotiators, real estate professionals, tenants’ rights activists, and more.
- Get Advice First – Reach out to a tenant’s rights organization first like the SF Tenants Union or East Bay Community Law Center
- Look At Comparables – Cite hard evidence if you can by looking at online listings for places similar to ours
- Get It All In Writing – Make sure you have a record via email
- Consider Organizing w/ Neighbors – Consider forming your own tenant’s group with others in your building.
This is just an overview. Read the full tips on negotiating your rent from the SF Gate
