renting - PCM
Author
Discussion

ApexJimi

Original Poster:

27,663 posts

272 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
This is probably a question of etiquette more than anything else, but in terms of the advertised pcm figure, generally speaking is there an element of wiggle room engineered into these figures?

I know there a few landlords on here, so I thought I'd ask smile

Distant

2,487 posts

222 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
I'd always offer less, especially in todays current economic climate. It's a renters market!

Nobody You Know

8,422 posts

222 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Nowt wrong with asking, I have bartered down my last couple of rentals. Make sure you go in with a reason why you won't pay the asking price though.

Silver993tt

9,064 posts

268 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Distant said:
I'd always offer less, especially in todays current economic climate. It's a renters market!
I wouldn't be so sure of that. My place went within 3 days at the asking PCM. I was also asking more than it was advised to and probably could have asked a fair bit more based on the interest. There are loads of people looking to rent (well, that was a couple of months ago).

Mc Lovin

5,588 posts

250 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Ours was on for £880, we pay £750 wink

sjg

7,673 posts

294 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Worth an ask - especially if the place is empty right now.

liner33

10,861 posts

231 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Always worth asking , they can always say no

Distant

2,487 posts

222 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Silver993tt said:
Distant said:
I'd always offer less, especially in todays current economic climate. It's a renters market!
I wouldn't be so sure of that. My place went within 3 days at the asking PCM. I was also asking more than it was advised to and probably could have asked a fair bit more based on the interest. There are loads of people looking to rent (well, that was a couple of months ago).
You got lucky mate, I know of quite a few properties that have been empty for months. Though I guess there are regional fluctuations.

okgo

42,078 posts

227 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Always room for movement in there, especially if you are a decent tenant smile

I have had people get properties £500 less than advertised before due to landlord desperation.

ApexJimi

Original Poster:

27,663 posts

272 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Cheers folks, I'll feel a little less silly now, if I happen to attempt a little bargaining!

Pickled Piper

6,452 posts

264 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Everything is negotiable. However, as a Landlord I've never accepted an offer below the advertised PCM. I do my research and price the property according to the market. Each time I've been mad e a lowball offer I've turned it down and got the asking price within a few days, often from the original applicant.

The only circumstances under which I may consider a reduction is if the tenants were squeaky clean and were willing to sign up for 12 months as a minimum.

BTW a good tenant is someone with an A1 credit history, no children, no pets and a good job where they spend most of their time. Also, a glowing reference from the previous landlord.

A family with four kids, three dogs, two old bangers and a works van, coupled with a dodgy or non existent credit history are not what I classify as squeaky clean tenants.

If you have got something to negotiate with you have a far better chance of success than if you just try and lowball someone for the sake of it.

Finally, the rental market in most areas is very buoyant. Mortgage rates are at an all time low and demand is high.

pp

Wings

5,966 posts

244 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Distant said:
I'd always offer less, especially in todays current economic climate. It's a renters market!
+1, agree better to have a long term rental, rather than lots of short term tenants, which can then mean empty property with no rent.

okgo

42,078 posts

227 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
A lot also depends on who the property is on market with..

munky

5,328 posts

277 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Absolutely. I sold my last place and decided to rent as the market is falling and various other reasons, but I offered £200 a month below the asking price and it was accepted immediately.. should have offered £500 less!

It's a great renters market.. saw one place that had been on sale for £1.1m, offered for rent at £1800 a month.. bargain. Just missed that one though, it went quickly.

whirligig

941 posts

224 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
It is a renters market at the moment - our flat was rented out in June 2007 no bother and for £650 pcm but it is due to become vacant again and the agents have said we'll probably need to come down to £575.

Nolar Dog

8,786 posts

224 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
Pickled Piper said:


If you have got something to negotiate with you have a far better chance of success than if you just try and lowball someone for the sake of it.
Well put.

The problem is most people assume everyone is making fortunes and/or can afford to reduce prices on a whim.


oyster

13,702 posts

277 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
munky said:
It's a great renters market.. saw one place that had been on sale for £1.1m, offered for rent at £1800 a month.. bargain. Just missed that one though, it went quickly.
I somehow find that hard to believe.

NoelWatson

11,710 posts

271 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
oyster said:
munky said:
It's a great renters market.. saw one place that had been on sale for £1.1m, offered for rent at £1800 a month.. bargain. Just missed that one though, it went quickly.
I somehow find that hard to believe.
Why?

sjg

7,673 posts

294 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
There's apparently a glut of new rental property on the market as people who've had to move (for work, family, etc) rent out instead of selling - either because they can't stomach the loss of value or because they just can't find anyone to buy it. That's on top of the BTL crowd who are generally desperate to avoid empty months so the mortgage gets paid.

Rents are only going one way at the moment. I know a few friends have had landlord try to increase rent on them, but none have actually followed through once their tenants have started to make noises about leaving.

changingman

672 posts

213 months

Monday 19th January 2009
quotequote all
whirligig said:
It is a renters market at the moment - our flat was rented out in June 2007 no bother and for £650 pcm but it is due to become vacant again and the agents have said we'll probably need to come down to £575.
You cant just say its a renters market overall. Areas and types of property dictate. I have a number of studio and one bedroom flats on the south coast in a good town and the demand is strong, I never consider offers, I dont have to, every time I advertise in the local paper I have a flood of calls. However I have a number of houses in SW London/Surrey and whereas they are not too hard to get tenants for I do have to negotiate but usually only about 5% to 8% off. I also have a shop and flat in NW London in a good/upmarket area and, at present, the tenant is having difficulty meeting the rent every month and I am dreading it going wrong as I know, with this one, I will have a problem getting tenants.