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10 January 2008

Lease hinkiness. So the gf and I discovered an apartment we could afford, with a garage I can use to work on my bikes, space for most of our stuff, and really convenient to the public transportation I'd need to take to my new job. I got an e-mail from the real estate agent today that the landlord liked our applications and that they were just waiting to hear from our past landlords. But [More:] she is asking for a 7 month lease, ending Aug. 31. This is great for her, because rents are highest at that time of year in this area, what with all the college students flocking to Boston.

Contadina and I decided it's not a dealbreaker, but it seems like a really rotten deal to us and an act of bad faith on the part of the landlord. If she decides she does not want to renew the lease for whatever reason, we're stuck looking for apartments in the worst/most expensive part of the year. Same thing if we decide we don't like her as a landlady. Plus, she can jack the rent up on us after only 7 mo. Grumble.

My initial reaction is to, once we hear back that we've got the apartment for sure, contact the agent and very politely and diplomatically ask if we can have a compromise. I'd prefer a standard 12 month lease; I mean, the reason we're moving at this time of year is precisely to capitalize on the market—both rental and purchase, should we decide to buy a house together. Prices just tend to be better this time of year. I'd settle for a six-month, with a review period and a rent freeze; meaning we can terminate the lease in six months but if we decide to stay, the rent is frozen for the remainder of the year (and is reviewed on an annual basis). But really, I don't want to get into dealing here. Because anything that engenders bad blood almost guarantees us either losing the apartment (now or at the renewal) or suffering an excessive, vindictive rent increase at renewal. I'd love to come up with something that is mutually beneficial, especially since the story is that this woman is taking care of the property for an elderly aunt/grandmother (the actual owner) who is in a nursing home and supposedly relying on this property for some of her income. I'm not looking to screw, but not looking to be screwed, either. Fact of the matter is that the rents at this time of year are what they are and it's not our fault we're being diligent consumers and taking advantage of the market cycle. Fact of the matter also is that we can lose the apartment and, in all likelihood, end up paying much more for the same thing (which is counter to our goal of saving for a house) at the whim of the landlord. There is another application behind ours in line; we just got them our deposit first.

So what do you bunnies think about this situation? What would you do in my shoes? Is this excessive landlord weirdness that we should quietly back away from, acknowledging that some deals really are just too good to be true? Do we suck it up and knuckle under so as to not risk losing the deal altogether? Or do we risk a tactful negotiation where we very politely push back and see what flexibility there is if any? I'm inclined to go for the last option, but I guess I'm mildly reticent A) because I'm not dealing with the landlord directly, rather her intermediary, the agent (which makes it hard to establish a dialogue and also to feel out how open/receptive/approachable she is) and B) the missus has basically entrusted this to me as the more diplomatic of the two of us (her words! not mine). I've had plenty of doors slam in my face but now I'd be slamming it in both our faces. Still, I'm curious what other people think about this, especially since I know there are a few landlords out in bunnyland.
Wow, my respect to anyone who even makes it through that onslaught of logorrhea. You'll need some pretty hip waders to make it through all that.

At any rate, since I can't sleep for whatever reason, I've composed a tentative reply which I'm going to then sleep on:

[Nice Agent Lady],

We are very happy to hear the good news. But we were somewhat dismayed to hear about the 7-month lease. This apartment has many things about it that we very truly like, and we do plan to stay. Is it possible to secure a full twelve month lease term? I have spoken to [gf], and we would both feel much more secure if we knew we were guaranteed housing for at least a year. Myself especially; I have had five addresses in as many years (not by choice, mind you) and am very much looking forward to putting down some roots!

Polite, diplomatic, but without leaving too much wiggle room or making any unnecessary concessions. Plus, I've humanized our concerns which means if she's really a nice landlady she can see that though we're educated consumers, we're also people and not sharks looking to take advantage of granny.

Next step if she doesn't budge is to suggest a compromise and offer to speak with the landlord directly. If I go ahead with the e-mail tomorrow morning.

Sheesh! Why can't there always just be a happy answer that works for everyone?
posted by Eideteker 10 January | 01:44
I don't think you should mention the five addresses. Still thinking about the rest...
posted by taz 10 January | 01:50
Yeah, that's up in the air. It's risky, given the circumstances, but there's a point to it. I really would like to stop moving all the f'ing time.
posted by Eideteker 10 January | 02:12
Crop the five flats out, leave the want to establish roots and go back to seven months only being one more than half a year which is a very short time.
posted by dabitch 10 January | 03:05
reducing it to basics:
you're wanting to play the rental market cos it's cheaper at this time of the year.
She's trying to play the market and get the best bang for her buck (possibly) in August.
However, you do not know she is going to automatically change the rent. You're speculating from a cynical viewpoint which when we're talking of landlords is the best way BUT she may be using this technique sucessfully to have an "out" if the tenants don't work out.
Bottom line, she's got something you want.
Send the letter but take out the five addresses.
Best of luck
posted by Wilder 10 January | 03:23
Yeah, moving five times not by your own choice suggests that landlords wanted you out, or you had money troubles, or stormy relationships. Even though your moving may have had nothing to do with any of that, those would be the things one would assume.

If it were me, though, in your position, I'd pass this one up and go on looking. I don't want to feel insecure about the living situation, wondering if the rent is going to get hiked, or if we're going to get tossed out because she has a relative coming back to town in August that she wants the place available for... or if she's just a wacky landlady who's going to be a pain in the ass. Setting up the lease in this way just rings too many alarm bells for me.
posted by taz 10 January | 03:36
7 months is a strange lease term, and not one I've ever heard of. It really sounds like the landlord is trying to pull one over on you, so she can hike the rent in August. Every place I've ever rented has had either a six month or one year lease. The last apartment I had had a one year lease followed by tenancy at will, and the rent was not raised after the lease term expired.

I'd send that letter/e-mail, but leave out the "5 addresses in as many years" as others have said, for the same reasons. Try not to fall too much in love with this place. If things don't work out in your favor, you have to be willing to walk away and keep looking.
posted by tckma 10 January | 05:58
Done!
posted by Eideteker 10 January | 07:22
Wait... What? You're moving in with your girlfriend??!! Before you've met me??!!
posted by essexjan 10 January | 07:38
I think you're overly concerned.

7 months is NOT unusual in towns where there is a big turnover at a particular time of the year. Some landlords just have a policy of offering leases that turn over at the beginning of month X. In Chicago it's November. In a college town it's the beginning of fall term.

Personally, I doubt you have to worry about her kicking you out or jacking the rent, but then your experiences may differ. Most landlords are smart enough to consider the value of a good paying tenant over the unknown. If you've been on time and caused no problems (not an occasional party, but things like police calls and drugs), they'd be stupid to gamble on an incoming student. Students are terrible tenants anyway.

In MA, apparently, they have what are called "self-renewing" leases, shown by language like this lease will continue in full force and
effect after the above term from year to year
until either the Lessor (landlord) or the
Lessee (tenant) ... gives to the other
written notice


If that's in your lease then the expectation is that you're renewing anyway.

If you already sent the letter, fine, but I would have just called and asked to work something out. They would probably not agree to (e.g.) a 19-month lease for a new tenant, but they might add a rider that the rent won't increase in the next lease or more than a certain amount (that you would both sign).

The main thing is that you have to be clear what your concern is. Losing a place in 7 months? or paying more rent? Remember, this is like a courtship, the landlord isn't sure about you either.
posted by stilicho 10 January | 14:59
I had a landlord who had every lease end on 8-31 since most of his units were full of college kids, and it was easier for him to keep track of.

Any chance she has multiple units for rent and just sets everything to be up the same day?
posted by kellydamnit 10 January | 17:27
Wait... What? You're moving in with your girlfriend??!! Before you've met me??!!

Well, no. Technically, I'm signing the lease before I've met you. We won't actually move in until afterwards (just in case).


they might add a rider that the rent won't increase in the next lease or more than a certain amount (that you would both sign).

This is basically the avenue we're pursuing now. The agent said she was "99%" sure it would not be an issue to get it in writing.
posted by Eideteker 10 January | 17:42
Good news: We're a go! Thanks for the help, everyone who cared!
posted by Eideteker 10 January | 19:21
W00T!
posted by chrismear 10 January | 19:50
What do women want? || Americans, please help me.

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