8 Things To Negotiate In A Lease That Could Save You Money

Rent prices remain high despite a slight cooling, and if your landlord won’t reduce your rate or plans to raise it, you may still have room to negotiate some perks. If you have a well-behaved pet, request that monthly pet fees be waived or your pet deposit refunded. You can also ask for flexibility on breed or size restrictions.  For buildings with amenities like a gym or pool that you don’t use, try negotiating to have those fees removed. You can also try negotiating utility costs paid to management.  Ask about upgrades like painting, or request new appliances if your unit lacks a washer, dryer, or dishwasher. If you're a renewing tenant with a good payment history, see if you can reduce your security deposit or get part of it refunded.  These kinds of negotiations won’t always work, but they could make your rental more affordable, or at least more comfortable.