Re: Negotiating rent
 

That will fit in the "If a tenant has three apartments to chose from then go ahead and negotiate for the price of the first two." category.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

No it doesn't. It fits with a landlord who simply follows first come / first served rather than having to make up rules about who gets to rent the place.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

Um, I'm pretty sure i said earlier on in the thread that it depended on the demand for the rental, the price etc. I never said don't try at all. I just said it's not a good idea if there's a lot of demand and why and I stand by that. I accept in this situation it's not a problem - the good thing is the property manager isn't emotionally involved with the apartment so it's an easy business transaction for them.

And I also know from my experience. I've been a tenant heaps of times and I still have lots of friends that rent. It's tough out there in certain areas, for certain kinds of properties. Why make it harder for yourself, if you (general you) are in that situation?

Re: Negotiating rent
 

You and JonboyE are doing your best to convince me that private landlords are to be avoided!

Ok, in a block with 200 apartments there will naturally be a turnover of about a dozen a month as people will probably only stay 2 years on average (yeah some will stay longer, but others will leave after 12 months).

These will be filled on a first come / first served basis as this is by far the simplest way to operate. You won't be judged on whether or not you try to negotiate whatever the demand is. I got told the rent was not negotiable, but I wanted the place so I paid up - this is how I expect reasonable people to act.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

I am pretty sure no landlord works on a strict first come / first serve basis. They all have rules of some sort to help screen out unsuitable tenants. Many landlords will not rent to people who are unable to give an employer's reference for example, or otherwise prove they have the resources to pay the rent.

I have seen some application forms to become a tenant that that would embarras MI6 with the requirement to disclose in-depth personal and financial information.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

When I rented in the west end we were interviewed, screened, had references checked etc. Some buildings we went to had so many applicants we were basically told don't bother. We were told by the inlaws to emphasize the fact we were married as this is seen by some landlords as a sign of stability. This was for a rental building with a building manager. Someone I know was refused a unit in the same building. I don't know what criteria other landlords use but I really don't see what's so terrible aobut what JBE and I are saying?

I should add it never occurred to us to negotiate rent. I think we got a fair deal.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

It's possible that's true for that building..might explain the high turnover. I don't think that's true for all though.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

Of course there are rules and you go prepared (I took my employment contract and a chequebook). I just don't think "tenant asks if rent is negotiable = piss off" is a rule that many people used.

I can understand "tenant goes on and on about discounts = piss off", but doesn't it become more about how they are asking?

Re: Negotiating rent
 

:)

All supply and demand of course. You know the Coal Harbour market better than we do and if you are correct that there are regular vacancies, and this is where the OP is looking to live, then fine - she can go ahead and negotiate if she wants to.

However, I don't believe this is true for the whole of Vancouver. Vacancy rates have been low for as long as I have lived here. It is more usual for tenants to be in competition for rentals than landlords to be in competition for tenants. Is it good advice to suggest to a newbie that they should make a lowball offer when a) they want to live there and b) the asking rent is fair?

You are right though that there is a big difference between private and institutional landlords. Iinstitutional landlords set their rates knowing they will have a certain percentage of PIA tenants and pay a property manager to deal with them. If a repair needs doing and this month/quarter budget is already spent then let the tenant bitch to the manager for a few weeks and get the repairs done when there is budget room.

A private landlord only wants happy tenants. Happy tenants are much nicer to deal with, they pay their rent on time and they look after the property. If a happy tenant calls with a problem you fix it there and then because you want them to stay happy.

It also means that you only want tenants who are happy to pay the asked for rent - which in my case is never more than fair market value. If a prospective tenant asks to pay less I don't know if they can't afford it, geuinely think it is overpriced, or are just trying it on. Either way I am going to consider them less favourably.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

It's got everything to do with how they are asking, but agian, maybe it's just me, if I saw a shitload of people lined up to see an apartment I was interested in, I wouldn't ask for a rent reduction for the simple reason that someone else is probably more than happy to pay the full amount, and I would be worried I'd lose out if I asked.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

Partly answered above, but we were talking about a situation where there are multiple applicants for a rental which, IME, is the more usual situation for a reasonably priced place. Asking for a rent reduction doesn't automatically mean piss off but it is going to be a factor when deciding who to offer the place to.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

I think it's true of many rentals, but especially high rise condo's downtown (not just vancouver, but any city with a youngish/transient population). "Rent for a year" is the standard advice dished out on here to people moving to Vancouver.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

or maybe JBE and I are a bit psycho.

I don't mind being a bit psycho.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

What about rent increases?

The rental I was in was equally hard-nosed about this. The increase was non-negotiable; if you don't like the new rent then move.

I can see how this might be more difficult if you are a private landlord - you'll have to weigh up the cost against spending time finding somebody and the void time between tenants. Especially if they are good tenants.

Re: Negotiating rent
 

Sorry i was messing and forgot to be a bit more obvious in my messing.