Negotiate your rent

Get stats, stat
Do a little reconnaissance and find out what people are paying for similar apartments in the building and neighborhood. “That [info] will give you a lot more confidence in negotiating with your landlord,” says Peter B. Stark, author of Everyone Negotiates (Bentley Press, $25). Make it a one-two punch by reminding your landlord you’ve never missed a payment, Stark says.

Focus on empty apartments
If you’re looking to move, “you’ll have a better chance of lowering the rent if an apartment has been vacant for more than 30 days,” says Maurice Ortiz, marketing director for Apartment People. That’s because landlords are losing money on the empty space. Ortiz also suggests filling out an application before negotiating. “That way, they know you’re serious about the apartment, and you’ll always get your money back [if you change your mind].”

Offer to sign a longer lease
“A landlord might be willing to lose a few dollars a month if he knew he didn’t have to worry about finding a new tenant for a couple of years,” Ortiz says.

Think small
Ortiz says it’s easier to negotiate with a private owner or a landlord of a smaller building, because he or she has less money to lose. “If word got out in a bigger building that one tenant was able to lower his or her rent, then everyone would try and that would add up for the owner,” he says.

Ask for a trade-off
If the landlord isn’t willing to back down on the rent, negotiate for cheaper amenities. “[The landlord] might be willing to give you your parking spot at a better deal,” Ortiz says.

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