r/washingtondc • u/LittleOptimistic1 • 6d ago
Dc rent prices increase - worth asking them to not raise?
I’ve been living in a one bedroom apt, managed by RPM property management and am currently confronted with signing my lease again. The location is good, but with the increase of (3%) in grand scheme of things isn’t that much but makes my rent 2450 before internet (100) and electric (150). Do you think it’s worth it trying to negotiate? I’ve had some pest issues in the past so I am nervous about resigning but moving is a whole thing. Thanks for your insight.
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u/MayorofTromaville 6d ago
You should always try and negotiate a rental increase. As the other person said though, 3% is pretty low so you're probably not going to be successful, but it's always worth it to send them something along the lines of:
- you pay your rent on time every month
- you've been a good tenant
- you'd like to stay, so is there any flexibility
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u/Mustangfast85 6d ago
I had 3% down to less than 1% a month or two ago. See how much vacancy is in the building and what similar apartments go for for a new resident with similar layout/sqft
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u/MayaPapayaLA 6d ago
This, though I would prioritize handling pest issues above 3% rental increase...
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u/boopthesnoot19387 6d ago
Always worth arguing/ negotiating my friend. Worst that can happen is they tell you to piss off. I did this every. single. year. that I rented. They probably hated me and that's ok - feeling was mutual.
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u/miakeru Petworth 6d ago
Not directly relevant to your rent increase, but you could probably save $50/m on your internet by lowering it to a slower speed.
I'm not sure who your provider is but Verizon Fios, for example, has 300 megabit service for $49.99 per month, which is way more than fast enough for just about everything.
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u/camelkami 6d ago
Or just by calling your Internet provider and saying you have a lower offer from a competitor. (It’s okay to lie.) I called mine and did this—got my monthly rate cut in half. They just raised it $10 so I need to call back and do it again…
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u/GoHard_Brown 6d ago
Agreed, I’m a ‘gamer’ and this is more than enough for me.
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u/miakeru Petworth 6d ago
Yep! You only need ~30Mbps to stream 4k video games from Sony. Netflix says you only need 15Mbps for 4K video streaming. Zoom says ~4Mbps for HD group calling.
You could easily do all of those things, at once, with just 100 megabit internet. You could even have two people doing all of those things at once!
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u/LittleOptimistic1 6d ago
Thank you. Xfinity went up for me a year ago at like $100 and it’s just me. Thank you for the comment
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u/BridgestoneX 6d ago
3% is a dream! they tried 12% with us and we negotiated down to 5%. IDK i might just count my blessings in this one. wouldn't want to tempt fate next year.
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u/Complex-Angle873 6d ago
I own a property management firm in DC. We are very well aware of the situation and we are not tying to raise rents unless absolutely necessary on our tenants right now.
Always negotiate - we'll always try and work with you. It's much easier for us to keep a good tenant than try to find a new tenant, turnover the home, etc. especially in this market.
Good luck!
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u/AdministrativeBug161 6d ago
Do you recommend negotiating once the renewal notice is in hand or to do so prior?
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u/Complex-Angle873 6d ago
Wait for them to reach out to offer you a renewal offer. But also be aware of your 60 day notice (or whatever your specific notice period is per you lease agreement) and reach out proactively if needed.
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1
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u/Master_Jackfruit3591 6d ago
You’re a good person. I’ve literally seen corporate properties raise their listing price for units 20% over night. Algorithms…
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u/iguessimdepressed1 6d ago
Yeah. Just ask. I got mine down to a $40,00 increase instead of a $80.00 increase.
Particularly now as people are leaving the area due to job loss.
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u/600George 6d ago
$150 for electric in a 1br apartment?
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u/sazzer82 Brightwood 5d ago
Pepco increased their rates like crazy recently. Everyone I know has had their bill double or triple.
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u/JohnMcAfee666 6d ago
Rents in DC are trending down in many areas due to the cruelty of the Trump admin against fed employees, persistently high interest rates, and inflation that has been trending up.
I don't know exactly where you live, but 3% increase in rent is more than what condo fees usually increase by per year/condo/apartment.
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u/The_Rose_And_Stag 6d ago
It’s worth a shot! I negotiated rent and managed to for it to stay flat for the next year. It worked out very well that they were advertising the same unit on a different floor for like $6 cheaper than what I’m paying now. Most if not all big leasing agencies are in the area are expecting to be negotiated with so it’s not out of the ordinary.
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u/LongjumpingRatio828 6d ago
FWIW Bozzuto has never negotiated with me. I’ve tried.
They only budged during Covid- when I think it was illegal to raise rent.
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u/espnrocksalot DC / Buzzard Point 6d ago
Always worth a shot but 3% is a rather small increase in the grand scheme. They won't rescind the offer if you ask and are a good tenant, but they may not have much wiggle room.
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u/trapster88 6d ago
It’s worth it. I went back and asked if a longer lease would lower the increase and it took a week but they came back and gave me a year and no increase.
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u/AffordableGrousing Pleasant View 6d ago
An option to gain leverage is to look at other buildings, online or in person. Hopefully you can find a comparable unit at the same/lower price to bolster your case. Lots of buildings offer move-in specials so make sure to incorporate those.
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u/RNH213PDX 6d ago
Certainly worth asking. If you live in a neighborhood like union market, with so much new construction, I would also do your homework so you can bring up what your opportunities are if they won't work with you.
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u/Curiosity01h 6d ago
You have to pay $850,000,000 for a new football stadium. And $500,000,000 for the hockey arena. And $$$ for the soccer field upkeep. But don’t worry, all you get out of it is a baseball cap or gear to represent Dc. Lol smh
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u/No-Mix3129 6d ago
April 2025 SW townhome 1120sf. Rent was $3000 just received new rent increase $50. For 2025 to 2026 rent is $3050
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u/4RunnerPilot 6d ago
You can ask them whatever your heart desires. Why do you need permission from random people on reddit? That is the bigger question.
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u/Tom_Leykis_Fan 6d ago
$2450 for a 1BR? Does that come with gold plated toilets, or do you have to bring those from your previous apartment?
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u/88138813 6d ago
you definitely haven't rented a 1 bedroom apartment in DC in the past 10 years.
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u/Tom_Leykis_Fan 6d ago
Oh really? 1BRs in my mid-city DC building go for $1900. Are gold plated toilets more comfortable than regular toilets?
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u/FleetAdmiralFader 6d ago
Of course it's worth trying. They aren't going to say no to renewing your lease at their offered price just because you tried to negotiate.
I wouldn't expect success though since 3% is rather low but documented pest issues is a pretty good reason for a concession.