Most Landlords Would Lower Rent for Right Tenant

Although competition for private rented accommodation is strong, one in ten tenants make the gutsy move of haggling with the landlord or letting agent on the advertised price, according to a Spareroom study. Each of them was found to save an average of £490 per year – a collective saving of £15.1m.

Of those tenants who managed to get their rent knocked down, 42% saved between £26 and £50 per month, while almost a quarter (24%) saved between £51 and £100 per month. The largest chunk of respondents (43%) said the lowered rent was a result of haggling, but a quarter (25%) simply offered a lower price and refused to negociate.

Being able to provide excellent employer and landlord references helped the cause, as did being flexible on the move in date. In a separate poll, it was found that 78% of landlords are prepared to lower the advertised rent if it means they have a good tenant who plans to stay for a long period, always pays on time, and doesn’t trash the property.

However, for most tenants (86%), price wasn’t the primary concern. Location (39%) and the standard of the property (22%) were the most important factors. Nearly a fifth (18%) though were most concerned about their housemates.

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