Hi all,
I realise that this forum is made up mostly of landlords, but wanting to get your opinions on an issue with a unit than I am currently renting in Canberra.
My wife and I moved to Canberra in December last year from interstate and signed a 12 month lease at $410 a week for a 2 bedroom unit. At the time we had no knowledge of the local rental market and needed a place ASAP as we were paying for temp accommodation.
Over the past 9 months I have been keeping an eye on other properties in the complex that have been rented out. The only differences between our unit and the ones listed below are the number of allocated carparks (ours has 2).
April- $370 (2 carparks)
May- $365 (1 carpark)
July- $390 (2 carparks)
August- $385 (1 carpark)
Yesterday we received a letter from the agent stating that the owner is happy for us to sign up to a new lease and that the rent would not be increased at this time.
My question is, given that it would appear that we are paying above market rent, are we within our rights to ask for a reduction if we stay on?
Our rent has always been paid 2 weeks or more in advance, inspections have passed with flying colours and we have hardly asked for any maitenance so we are very good tenants.
So what do you think? Am I going to be laughed out of town if I ask, given that we have already been paying $410 for 12 months. Should I just be thankful they are not increasing it even more?
Thanks in advance.
I realise that this forum is made up mostly of landlords, but wanting to get your opinions on an issue with a unit than I am currently renting in Canberra.
My wife and I moved to Canberra in December last year from interstate and signed a 12 month lease at $410 a week for a 2 bedroom unit. At the time we had no knowledge of the local rental market and needed a place ASAP as we were paying for temp accommodation.
Over the past 9 months I have been keeping an eye on other properties in the complex that have been rented out. The only differences between our unit and the ones listed below are the number of allocated carparks (ours has 2).
April- $370 (2 carparks)
May- $365 (1 carpark)
July- $390 (2 carparks)
August- $385 (1 carpark)
Yesterday we received a letter from the agent stating that the owner is happy for us to sign up to a new lease and that the rent would not be increased at this time.
My question is, given that it would appear that we are paying above market rent, are we within our rights to ask for a reduction if we stay on?
Our rent has always been paid 2 weeks or more in advance, inspections have passed with flying colours and we have hardly asked for any maitenance so we are very good tenants.
So what do you think? Am I going to be laughed out of town if I ask, given that we have already been paying $410 for 12 months. Should I just be thankful they are not increasing it even more?
Thanks in advance.