Question for the landlords here, added a few more

[sbpebbles]

So I have a question for the landlords that visit this board..I am looking to rent a mobile home..Which one, though, i am not sure..there are 2 in the area I am looking at..However one is $25 more but it is out in the country further so that would mean I'd have to drive more to get the basic things, like groceries, child care, work, etc...i know the logical thing to do would be to take the other one, right? well those people have not returned my phone calls or emails so I am not 100% sure that it's still available...I have not given any other information other than my name and phone number to anyone so they couldn't have ran a background check on me...I'm not sure if this is a common practice but do landlords ever allow a tenant to try to negotiate the rent price? I understand that a landlord has their bills to pay and I'm not trying to stiff anyone, but wouldn't you rather get SOME income on your property as compared to NO income if you let it sit empty, especially in this market? I've always just paid what they asked but I'm curious if this is possible..thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It never hurts to ask. The worst result is they will laugh at you. Explain why you think the rent should be less (as stated above) and ask.

But also a lot depends on the condition/accessories/furnishings, etc of each.

 

[happygirl]

I would rather live out in the country myself.I wouldn't ask them to lower the rent. That might give off the impression you can't afford the place.

 

[scootch]

We rarely do background checks as they are unreliable many times. We have had many people say, I really would prefer here as it is more convenient for me, but I also found another one in the county for $25 a month less... any chance you could go a bit lower on the rent? We are not offended at all. If we can and want to get the place rented, we will lower it... if we really want the stated price, we simply say no. I would have some concerns with them not calling you back though. Maybe if it were one attempt, but if you have attempted to call them multiple times... you may run into that same problem when your heat is out or your water line breaks and you really need them.

 

[Vacation Lover]

We rent out our former home and gave the tenant a discount on the advertised rent. We had a few minor repairs that needed to be done to the house and he offered to do them and other repairs that come up in exchange for a discounted rent.

 

[sbpebbles]

We rarely do background checks as they are unreliable many times. We have had many people say, I really would prefer here as it is more convenient for me, but I also found another one in the county for $25 a month less... any chance you could go a bit lower on the rent? We are not offended at all. If we can and want to get the place rented, we will lower it... if we really want the stated price, we simply say no. I would have some concerns with them not calling you back though. Maybe if it were one attempt, but if you have attempted to call them multiple times... you may run into that same problem when your heat is out or your water line breaks and you really need them.

The put the text in bold cuz that's the part that concerns me too, if they can't return a simple phone call or email what would they honestly be like as landlords when something big happens? right now i guess it's a wait and see..thanks everyone, keep the advice coming..I have to find a place to live soon or me and the kids will end up in a shelter..

 

[tink2dw]

HDTV channel has a show called Rent. The Hostess helps people find rental Apartments, Condo's and townhouses. She always tells poeple to sell themselfs to the Landlord and ask for those discounts and upgrades!!

 

[sbpebbles]

HDTV channel has a show called Rent. The Hostess helps people find rental Apartments, Condo's and townhouses. She always tells poeple to sell themselfs to the Landlord and ask for those discounts and upgrades!!

lol nice..too bad we don't have HDTV, otherwise I'd definitely be watching..

 

[teacup princess]

Go ahead and ask. It's pretty easy to say no on the phone, though. I'd take a look at the place and then ask at the showing if you think it warrants $25 less per month.

 

[sbpebbles]

SO i thought of a few more questions...How do you, as a landlord, handle people who have evictions or foreclosures? Would you rather someone have an eviction as compared to a foreclosure or vise versa or are they one in the same as far is it matters to you? Do you prefer ppl be upfront about it when calling about the property or would you prefer to know once the paperwork is being processed? Without going into to too much detail, I'll say that my kids and I are having a real hard time finding a place to rent so i don't know what i'm doing wrong...thanks again!

 

[happygirl]

SO i thought of a few more questions...How do you, as a landlord, handle people who have evictions or foreclosures? Would you rather someone have an eviction as compared to a foreclosure or vise versa or are they one in the same as far is it matters to you? Do you prefer ppl be upfront about it when calling about the property or would you prefer to know once the paperwork is being processed? Without going into to too much detail, I'll say that my kids and I are having a real hard time finding a place to rent so i don't know what i'm doing wrong...thanks again!

I would be as honest as you can be. I hope you find a place soon

 

[Lisa_M]

I would think both are equally as bad. In both situations, the person is not paying for the living arrangements they agreed to, for whatever reason. If you have family or someone you know who you could rent from or live with, I would do so, then when you rent an apartment you'll have a more positive rental history. Also, some places will rent to people with evictions by making them pay first months rent, last months rent and a full month security deposit before moving in. Expensive for the tenant, but it guarantees them payment for at least 3 months.

ETA: I wouldn't mention it when you initially call. I would wait and mention it in person after you decide you'd like the apartment. That way they will have some time to see if you appear to be worth the risk, whereas if you just call and say it, they are likely to say, sorry no way.

 

[teacup princess]

I wouldn't rent to someone with an eviction on their record. I would consider renting to someone with a foreclosure if they were upfront about their situation. My theory is that most landlords will let someone out of a lease way before an eviction occurs. If someone stays in a rental all the way until an eviction, they're pretty much just saying to me that they don't care. Mortgage companies are a little less willing to work with people who are having trouble paying. You're only option is to try to sell and get out from under it and if you can't do that then, well, forclosure.