If people are offering a lot less to buy, should we offer less to rent too?

[Jampot]

our tenancy is up on the house we are currently renting in about 5 weeks. Ive looked at a couple of houses which would fit the bill but wonder whether I should be haggling over the rent? what is the norm?

[IorekByrnison]

Round our way rents are going up as the market is stalling I'm afraid - lots more people are renting who would ordinarily be buying, so landlords are in a strong position at the moment. Would think it's worth a try though. Good luck anyway.

[mammya]

Yep, rents are going up alright! and rentals being snapped up fast too! You've got nothing to lose by haggling a bit though. Good luck!

[1dilemma]

Rents are going down in London big article in Evening Standard about it recently(I think it was standard)
Lots of places here up for sale and rent (a lot of them 100-150 pounds a week more to rent than they should be.)

I suspect your success at haggling will in some part depend on how 'desirable' a tennant you are!

[Jampot]

well im 5'4 size 12, big.... only joking..

one of the houses we looked at about a month ago is still empty and had been empty for several months before. its a 4 bed detached although needs some tlc and is up for 800

[1dilemma]

If it's been empty for a while sounds good, might be worth asking agent directly why it is empty IYSWIM

[IorekByrnison]

Here is the Evening Standard article. I'm very surprised by this although it makes perfect sense. Sounds like you might be in a strong position to negotiate after all, especially if the house you are looking at needs work and has been empty for a while.

Am amazed at £800 for a 4 bed detached house though! Small 3 bed flat above us just been rented out for £1600 (and it's not a particularly nice place). Where are you?

[Bumperlicious]

am paying 725 on a 2 bed 1st floor flat! Granted it's lovely though and in a beautiful georgian building. That said it was originally on for 750 and we negotiated to 725. I say "we", obviously I mean DH

[Jampot]

another agent had it on for £1000 but obviously didnt get a sniff. im in solihull by birmingham. Most people are a bit stuck up here though so i expect with "nice" houses on the market, they're the ones that get snapped up.