What discount would you expect...

[drowningincustard]

... if you rented an apartment above an 'undesirable' shop?
Does it depend on the type of business?
I realise its a bit abstract - but say the following 2 scenarios:

1. its above a fast food takeaway
2. its above a funeral parlour (including the storage facility for the bodies) Would you say 5%, 10%, 25%??? I am in an argument that the type of business will both deter potential renters, and then of those that will be prepared to consider it will expect a discount on the market rate compared with an equivalent property above say a hairdresser or greengrocer etc. My other half says that yes it will deter people but that those that are prepared to consider it would be more than happy to pay the same as you would above a more 'favourable' shop. Any thoughts????

I think I agree with your partner. The funeral parlour would be quiet so I can't see an issue there, but people could be put off by the thought of dead bodies, the takeaway could be noisy at night and smelly, the hairdressers could also stink and have lots of people coming and going.

Overall what someone sees as a favourable shop will differ from another. Some folks would love to live above a take away or a hairdressers, others would hate it, same with the funeral parlour

So a favourable shop is really subjective. Your view of that will not be everyone's,

We used to live next door to a funeral parlour (rented flat). Never crossed my mind to expect a discount. Quiet neighbours!

I think as well as the type of business you need to also consider the operating hours, which should be set out in the planning use and any licences required. If you're out at work all day and the businesses are closed by 6pm it's probably a non-issue. But it depends when they have deliveries. I wouldn't live above a takeaway due to the likely opening hours well into the evening, noise of car doors late at night, noise and smell from the extraction system, etc.

Our old dentist had his surgery above a high street clothes shop and frequently had to ask them to turn their music down.

I think I'd ask the going rate for the area and be prepared to negotiate depending on how much interest there was if I was the LL.

The issue is everyone's view of what's favourable is different. Hence why The partner is likely right.

For example I know someone who rents rooms above a pub. He loves it, and is in the pub every night. He'd likely pay a premium as it's his social life basically. He's an older single man. Others wouldn't even view it.

Plenty of people would love to live above a take away. Plenty of people not remotely bothered by a funeral parlour. So because rhe op deems something favourable, doesn't mean the next person does.

Hence why negotiating a discount is likely pointless. The property will be marketed at the rate for a property in that location. Those who are happy with the location will view. Those who aren't either wouldn't or shouldn't, but it's unlikely a discount will be given simply due to the type of shop it's over, because some folks either won't care or will like it,

Thanks - that's food for thought... Possibly not quite what I was expecting but it is why I asked.

Wasn't there a comment on here recently about the noise from refrigeration units at a funeral home? Something to consider.

When renting flats I wouldn't have even considered a flat above a take away unless I was seriously on the bones of my arse and it was 50% cheaper than anywhere else; noise, smells, rats.
Would never live above a funeral parlour, have too active an imagination.
So maybe what you need to consider is not that the rent will have to be cheaper, bu that a fairly sizeable percentage of potential renters wouldn't even look at the place.

I'd imagine rock bottom prices for being above a takeaway. Noise of different units, stench whenever you open the window (or even if you don't). They also tend to be on busy roads. Someone would need to be very desperate and unable to afford market rates. It probably makes it difficult to rent in the first place.

Funeral home sounds a lot better unless there are those noisy fridges as mentioned by a PP.

I'd imagine rock bottom prices for being above a takeaway

I know some folks who'd love to live above a good take away, and if it was in a good location in a town centre even better. Never mind those who work close by.