to ask for a decrease in rent?

[MamaGeekChic]

We have lived here for 12 months and contract expires on 31st dec. Letting agent is coming round tomorrow to do inspection and discuss renewal. Given tht we have proven that we are good tenants, pay on time, look after property etc would it be unreasonable in today's market to request a marginal decrease in rent to incentivise us to sign another 12month contract?

Thanks

DH and I have been in this kind of situation for the last couple of years, where the rents for similar properties in the area have stayed the same or dropped slightly and our landlord has always asked for a significant increase with no justification (£100 extra a month, when he does no maintenance to the property and nothing else has changed).

Each year this is a massive stress and we've tried arguing to stay the same but eventually give in and agree to £50 a month extra because the cost of moving would be more than £600 if we take boxes, van hire and extra deposit/fees into account.

I don't think it's necessarily unreasonable to ask for a reduction, but it might be worth taking other costs into account before you do, as well as market rates and consider whether you really are prepared for the upheaval of moving.

Good luck with whatever you decide.