Advice for offering less than rental asking price?

[nobilesnovitas]

Hi there,

I am currently looking for a flat in a small city. Like lots of places, it seems to be a very quick market at the moment. I am looking for a two bed flat or house with a budget of about £1800 a month. There are a few flats in a newly refurbished apartment block that have been listed since February but have not budged. They've had their prices dropped, but they are still way out of my budget.

So my question being, does a 'cheeky' offer on a rental flat ever work? Or am I just wishing for the impossible. By cheeky, I mean, offer £1800 for a flat listed at £2100 for example.

If there were loads of properties on the market, I would be more inclined. Don't want to lose face with the estate agency, in case they list something that I do want.

You can but try. If you do get it signed in for at least a year, otherwise you're a little fucked at RR if it comes above market value.

Yes. A friend of mine offered about £300 less on a similar rental and it was accepted.

There comes a point where the landlord would rather have a rent paying tenant than lose money leaving it empty. It can't hurt to try.

Doesn't hurt to try if a place is sticking. Flats and places in London may be at the moment, everywhere else has a shortage.

Do make sure it isn't cheap for a reason - make sure all the legals are ok.

Yes but you'll likely get stung at renewal if you aren't careful.

Luckily only looking to rent for a year.

Just looked at the listing history. It is up with Knight Frank. First listed at 2850. Reduced for times to get down to 2100. It's been at 2100 since late February.

I was actually mistaken as well. It was first listed last May! My guess is the landlord is very wealthy if they have a few of these flats in the same block and have been empty for a long time.

four*

As a Londoner, wow those are some expensive rental flats!

Maybe there is something wrong with it.

I think the flats are just crazy over priced. My guess is that the landlord was hoping out for some wealthy overseas students/renters.

Wow thats crazy prices !! And I'm a Londoner !

That sounds about right for new builds in my small city. Rentals are so expensive now. Way outstrip mortgage levels.