Home and apartment landlords aren’t above using creative tactics to keep tenants paying the optimal monthly rental fee. Still, some property owners are getting more aggressive when dealing with renters, even reliable ones.
- 87 percent of renters say the hassle of moving “influences their decision to accept rent increases, with some willing to tolerate hikes of 10% or more just to stay put.”
- 20 percent of landlords admit to charging existing tenants more than new ones, “often because they know renters want to avoid moving.”
- 30 percent of landlords say they’ve used rent hikes to steer tenants out the door for good.
Landlords have a single significant advantage over renters when the issue of price hikes comes into play. The StorageUnits.com report notes that stress is a “major driver” of moving for renters, with 87 percent of housing consumers saying the hassle of packing and moving is enough to make renters accept landlord-driven price hikes.
Maybe that’s why 40 percent of renters are willing to accept a 1 to 4 percent increase, and 20 percent will bite at a 5 to 9 percent increase with no pushback, the report noted.
“Moving is stressful because it disrupts nearly every part of daily life,” said Reagan Phillips, storage expert at Storage Units, in a statement. “There’s the financial burden of hiring movers, paying deposits, and covering unexpected costs, and logistically, it’s overwhelming to pack, organize, and coordinate timelines.”
Additionally, renters may get antsy over departing a familiar space and ending up in a home or apartment where they’re less comfortable. “Moving creates a physical, emotional, and financial strain all at once,” Phillips said.
Cracking the Landlord Code
The key to gaining a better negotiating stance for renters is to know what cards landlords are holding before and during rental and leasing discussions.
Getting that job done entails asking landlords the right questions that undercut any negotiating advantages and prevent them from hiding any critical information. Rental and apartment management experts advise consumers to focus on these three factors that landlords try to hide from tenants on a regular basis.
Move-in Costs Can Be Prohibitive
There’s maybe nothing malicious about it, but landlords commonly play the game of “don’t ask, don’t tell” on cost transparency pricing. “I’ve encountered landlords refusing to even disclose the total costs of moving in, including application fees, utility transfers, mandatory renters insurance,” Karen Watts, founder of DomiSource, a homeowners services platform, told NTD via email. “That’s the stance landlords adopt until you’ve committed to the move, so you’re done backing out.”
General Property Issues
No home is immune to wear and tear, and other long-term problems that landlords often try to keep secret.
“That includes pest problems, prior flooding, or mold history, many landlords skirt around disclosure if local laws don’t require it,” Kitty Assenmacher, co-founder of Florida-based American Hero Properties, told NTD by email. Landlords may also try to hide renters’ rights regarding deposits and repairs. “Renters often don’t realize they have legal protections when it comes to withheld deposits or unresolved maintenance,” Assenmacher said. “Some landlords count on that.”
If a property is up for sale, slated for renovation, or the owner plans to terminate leases soon, renters may be the last to hear about it. “That information may not be shared until the last minute,” Assenmacher noted.
How Renters Can Regain Balance With Their Landlords
Good and fair landlord/tenant engagements start with transparency and with documentation.
“Ask for everything in writing—promises, maintenance timelines, even verbal agreements,” Assenmacher advised.
Also, research your local tenant rights. “In most states, tenants have far more protections than they realize; it’s just not in the landlord’s interest to tell you that,” she added. “If something feels unclear, treat that as a red flag and ask direct questions. Good landlords won’t hesitate to answer.”
The views and opinions expressed are those of the interviewees. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. NTD does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. NTD holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.
Alice J. Roden started working for Trending Insurance News at the end of 2021. Alice grew up in Salt Lake City, UT. A writer with a vast insurance industry background Alice has help with several of the biggest insurance companies. Before joining Trending Insurance News, Alice briefly worked as a freelance journalist for several radio stations. She covers home, renters and other property insurance stories.