Question

Our lease is up in May and we want to save up a little more so we can buy good furniture when we get into a new place, but we received a letter from our management office saying they want us to renew our lease but they want to charge $15 more per month. Mind you that have done absolutely nothing to improve our apartment or the complex since we’ve been here to justify a price increase when we’re honestly already overpaying compared to other places. Should I ask to keep our current rate? I just don’t see how it’s justified.  

Answer 1

Most places do a rent increase. $15 isn’t much at all. I would stay over $15 a month vs moving and all of the costs associated with that.  

Comments

@delamare We wouldn’t move if we couldn’t keep our current rate. I just didn’t know if it was worth asking or not.  

Answer 2

Just because you personally didn’t get anything doesn’t mean their expenses to run the property didn’t go up. You are planning on moving out in May?  

Comments

@thales no we want to stay another year. That’s why I wanted to see if we could keep our current rate.  

---

@gasworks135 ok. I thought your post meant you were moving to a new place in May. It never hurts to ask. Or see if there is something you can do for the property to get a discount.  

Answer 3

If you want to stay there, definitely ask. I rent a patio home and our management office is always willing to cut a deal to keep a unit full. Ask if they will keep your current rate for another year if you want to stay that long.  

Answer 4

Legally they're allowed to increase rent a certain % every year (atleast where I am that's how it works) $15 is great imo lol if you're already planning on moving out I wouldn't bother and just give them notice when the time comes

Answer 5

You can ask, but legally they’re allowed to increase rent despite not improving the apartment. My family owns an apartment building and we are allowed to increase 4% a year. We have some elderly tenants we don’t increase at all. And some we have lowered the increase. Depends on the tenants history and their hardship. Doesn’t hurt to write a letter.  

Answer 6

So my aunt lives in a complex, last year her rent went up $107 and she has to renew in 2 months. $15 isn’t bad!  

Answer 7

$15 more isn’t bad but it could add up if you’re being overcharged currently for the apt you lease with them. I agree it is legal, but try and talk with them to see what they do.  

Answer 8

That’s a reasonable increase ours is going up 55$ more a month. Keep in mind their insurance and property taxes increase each year.  

Comments

@hardigg that is true I didn’t think about that.  

---

I’m currently trying to negotiate ours to just wash the windows for us:). We are on the second floor and they haven’t done it in 2 years and we aren’t allowed to hire anyone.  

Answer 9

The place we’re in now has increased both times we renewed our lease. The first year by $61. We just renewed our lease again and it went up another $64. We find the increase to be worth it though. If you feel yours isn’t worth the extra $15, then it never hurts to ask. The most they can do is say no.  

Answer 10

180/year more vs way more in expenses to move. I'd stay.  

Answer 11

$15 extra is a good deal. Don’t forget property taxes go up every year.  

Answer 12

It’s worth asking. My rental company wanted to increase my rent by 100 one year. I found comparable houses that were close by that were cheaper and I said that if they raise my rent I’ll just move into a different cheaper property. We agreed to only raise it by $10 to at least cover the increase in property taxes.  

Answer 13

I am a property manager- I dont know what state you live in or the neighborhood or quality of property-but, I will tell you, a $15 increase is very very small! Unfortunately even basic costs, such as pool supplies, lawn mowing, plumbing supplies, all maintenance supplies, snow removal, trash service, potty bags at the pet stations, common area lighting in the buildings, overtime for emergency maintenance calls- etc. (not counting anything that includes major repairs or maintenance) ALL of those costs continue to increase. Everything that is done on a property is paid directly from the rent collected- increases are never welcome- but if you like where you live- definitely renew for $15 per month. Of course, if you don't then even a zero increase is not worth renewing for. It will cost you more than the $180-$190 yearly increase to move.  

Comments

@nolpros958 I’m sure lots of insurance increases too with all the natural disasters and fires.  

---

@thales probably true. At our property we always do a couple of big projects each year. Most people don't realize the costs to run a property- which is understandable. But, if a property offers anything at all like a business center, fitness center, fax services, accepts packages, anything and everything has to be paid for with the rent. We have spent over $25000 this year in just snow removal! If someone paid rent of $1000 per month- that would be 2 years of just 1 persons rent to pay for just that one item!  

Answer 14

Our apartment changed hands, so my rent went up $100. They fixed up the apartment upstairs and are charging $750 for it-literally with new floors. No car port, no pool, no nothing extra. You could get into a 3 bed room house for that price. We have til December then I’m out.  

Comments

I’m curious what state are you in that you can find a 3bd for $750?  

---

@gens44 Marie Missouri

---

@gens44, not in the Kansas City area? Our 3 beds just over the line in KS are $1429- and that is less than most! I would be shocked on the Kansas City Missouri side to find a decent 3 bed for under $1000.  

---

@gens44 a 3 bd place here is $2300+.  

---

@nolpros958 I’m in Springfield.  

---

@delamare Wickenheiser-Lucas I grew up in Pittsburgh- a 3 bed is about $1200 now I’m sure there.  

---

Wow i wish i could find that! maybe a 3br trailor but def not a house where i live in FL

---

My apartment is more than double that

Answer 15

As a landlord 15 is very minimal. We recently had to increase our rent $300 for our renters. However previously we were only charging the mortgage and not factoring in other costs such as HOA, property taxes, etc. not to mention our property taxes just almost doubled this year.  

Answer 16

Our last landlord was a large corporate and they raised our rent 350/mo. We left (along with most everyone else in the complex).  

Answer 17

Pretty low to me. My old apartment increased around $75-100. that was nuts.  

Answer 18

My apartment rent raises aprox. 80 a month every year the lease is up. They all raise a certain percentage. It's crazy

Answer 19

$15 a month is a small increase. Worth asking but it’ll probably be a no

Answer 20

Mine goes up $25 every year regardless