Ask the Readers: Save Money on Rent? (Chance to win $20!)

I've got ~10% discounts by being willing to prepay up to 3 months at a time in advance. Just make sure you have it in writing that you're prepaying.

It's been a while since I've rented but here's some of how I got cheap rent:
- Rent in older complexes. I knew the area I wanted to live in. Within that zip code there were many apartments. The newer ones were much more expensive but also had nice amenities (which I knew I'd never use), garages (again, didn't need), came with washer and dryer (I have my own) and the like. I got comparable square footage, and acceptable living conditions just by renting a mile or so away from the nicer places.
- Look (and ask) for discounts. I got a discount due to my employer. I was able to lock in that discount by signing a year lease (apartment complexes in my area seem to change management companies at least every other year. And rents change accordingly).

I never had any problems getting my deposit back either. Before moving any of my stuff in, I went through the apartment and noted in detail anything that might be considered a flaw or damage. I turned one copy of that inventory into the complex office and kept another for my records. While living in the apartments, I called in any and all maintenance concerns and then kept calling the office if they didn't get fixed. (Had some issues with a leak in the roof/chimney intersection at one point). That way, if there was any damage related to the maintenance issues, the company couldn't charge me for them because I had done my part to inform and work with them on those issues. And, finally, upon moveout I cleaned the heck out my apartments (get friends to help you with this) and then, before turning in the key, did the walk through with someone from the complex with all of my paperwork in hand in case there were any questions. There never were, but it felt good to be prepared.

I've gotten huge discounts by being willing to move in during the month (instead of on the first), offering to pay utilities (and then decreasing them by being more green, or canceling cable service), or being willing to take on more tasks (lawn maintenance, basic painting, etc).

I also found that in DC, living in an old house instead of a condo will save a TON of money, plus give you space to work out in the basement, storage space, and even a yard to grow food in. Your rent may be $200/month cheaper, but you can save another $200/month just by simple lifestyle changes.

I recently found my apartment listed on Craigslist. They were advertising the rent at a discounted rate. I signed a one year lease, which makes it less too. I also got the one bedroom instead of two. I don't really need that much space, I just sold some of my stuff on Craigslist. Also, the complex is like 25 years old compared to these newer, fancier ones. It is very well maintained and suits my needs.

Always do a walk thru before you move in noting any damage, etc. and the same when you move out. Clean the place throughly and you shouldn't have any problem getting your deposit back.

My husband and I have found some pretty good deals by presenting ourselves well: we have excellent credit and are clean cut professionals who live beneath our means. Our jobs are also quite stable. The people who have rented to us in the past have been willing to post a lower rent in order to attract more candidates and choose someone 'hassle free.'

Also, we're choosy about our landlords and make sure we don't pick anyone weird, seedy etc. We've always been able to have a good rapport that way and have never had trouble loosing our deposit money.

Oh, and see if you can line up automatic payments with your bank so you never miss the rent. Landlords love that. When you can keep them happy, it's a good thing.

The trick to getting your deposit back is to walk through the apartment with the landlord before you move in. If you notice any defects/damages, point it out and take photos of it DATED and have the landlord sign them. Once you move out, do another walk through with the landlord. I know it's a bit tedious but in the end, you'll get your deposit back! :)

I recently went looking for a new apartment in Alameda, CA. I had trolled through the local management companies and complexes advertising on Craigslist, which resulted in nothing decent. I called my Father adn asked for some advice. He told me to drive around the block and look for places with signs up. I spent three hours driving aroudn the niehgborhoods and found a great spot. It was not advertised in the paper or online and was half the price of other places with more space. So take a drive through the neighborhood and just might find your new place around the block.

It is hard to do, but remember to take the time before you move in to document the condition of your new apartment. Get out that camera or camera phone and take pictures. Write down all of the problems and send it to your landlord.

When it comes time to move out, pull out your documentation and remind the landlord of the move-in condition.

She won't be able to deduct anything from your deposit for damages that weren't yours.

I spent days doing apartment research online to before I started looking in person. I spent an afternoon scouring renter websites and found two great deals in the general area I wanted to live. I think depth of research and taking the lowest common denominator between size, quality, and location are the keys to being happy and paying as little as possible for rent.

In the old days we would look for old buildings w/apts. that needed TLC - rent them cheaply & then fix them up. There R neighborhoods that are respectable but not expensive - rather working class.

I also used to help my old landlord for some $ off the rent.

We also rented an apt. for a year in a Sr. Citizens complex because one of use was 55+ & the was the best deal in rentals in the area around Santa Barbara! (Found that deal on the internet & there even was a cash discount on the rental!)

You can apply to be an apartment manager in exchange for free/reduced rent.

Don't be afraid to negotiate or play hardball. Play rental companies against each other instead of just giving into their demands.

I haven't rented at all yet but just signed a lease at an apartment. I would't call it "cheap" but it's definitely a better deal than others!

We did have to work for it though--we were on a waiting list for 4 months!

I know not everyone can do that but if it's an option and it's the apartment or rental you want--go for it!

I ask everyone I know if they know a great place at a good price. Then I give good references and ask for a lower rent. And also out of town is cheaper also.

I didn't do this on purpose, but we became friends with the landlord and we didn't have a problem getting our deposit back.

In the past I have saved money on rent by renting a place that needs a little work done. The landlord was willing to discount my rent in exchange for a little labor on the rental. The landlord supplied the repair materials and I did the work.

It is certainly something to consider if you are handy around the house and can find a landlord willing to work with you. In my case, it even lead to doing a few repairs on the landlords other rentals in exchange for a lower rent payment.

It is important to make arrangement in advance and in writing when venturing into such an agreement.

I've lived in apartments most of my life. Biggest thing, research. Not just in person but also look-up crime stats for cities, transportation, how much other places are going for, what is around where you want to live? There is so much information on the internet, defintely look for police logs and city statistics if you are moving to a new area.

I found a place in a better city with less crime and it's cheaper than apartments where I use to live. I also downsized. This takes a bit of willingness and fortitudenous. I went to a studio but then I keep telling myself the money I am saving each month...

One thing with going smaller is it's easier to clean and things are usually easier to find. Definitely takes time to find a good place. Best thing is to get out and look. Be prepared to spend some time comparison shopping. Right now is a great market for renters.

Best things are to know what you definitely want and to be flexible on other things.

Six years ago I rented a luxury apartment that had an asking rent of $1100 for $850. The four reasons I got such a deal are:

1. I rented from an owner.
The apartment was actually a condo, an investment property owned by a CPA. Every month that the condo went vacant was another month that he had to carry the mortgage and association fees with no money coming in. I was extra lucky because he had multiple units sitting vacant and his real estate agent let it slip. Big mistake.

This was during the Chicago Real Estate boom. It's a lot easier to get a deal now, especially in the more high end market.

2. I didn't hire an apartment service.
In some places (Chicago) the service is free to the renter, others (NYC) both parties pay. Apartments aren't rocket science, you don't need a consultant. Know what you want to pay, where you want to live, and go out there and find a place. Treat it like a part time job; no one cares more about where you will be living more than you do.

3. I moved in the dead of Winter.
Most people start and end their leases in the summer months. It is harder to find tenants in November, December and January than in June or July. Even if the owner has to dramatically drop the price to get you to move in, it more than offsets the potential loss of just one month of vacancy. Renting off-season gives you added bargaining power.

4. I haggled.
I went back and forth with the owner through his real estate agent, when I wasn't getting the right price, I very politely told her it was everybody's best interest to let me have the apartment at $800 and that I was even willing to prepay a couple of months if they like. The counter-offered $850 and I took it.

Getting a good deal on an apartment requires that you do your homework and have the guts to ask for what you want. The worst thing that can happen is they say no.

Honestly, I have not rented in awhile. However, when I did rent, I know that rent seemed to follow the general rule of real estate: location, location, location. If you are willing to live in a less desirable area or place, you are going to pay cheaper rent.

Basement apartments, spare bedrooms, or apartments in fringe areas are all places where rent will be cheaper. Typically right out of college those places might suffice. However, later in life, not so much.

Sometimes when a house seems cheaper than it should be there is a reason. We kept thinking the last house we lived in was quite a steal until the sewer started backing up and the basement started leaking. Look at the types of windows and doors on the place too, landlords don't care what you have to pay for utilities and a lot of older houses don't have tight windows and doors. Make sure you look for any signs of water damage as well because more than likely it is an on-going problem!

I almost always rented from people who owned small places. The first place was a summer sublet, obtained by word of mouth. Moving at the end of a school year helped during college days as alot of places became vacant then. Offering to paint and fix up goes a long way. Our second place (me and roomies) allowed the lease signer to "sublet". At one point there were five of us. That cut costs considerably. We found out about it from a friend of a friend. Since we had a terrific landlord and lady and were willing to work on the place ourselves our rent never increased during the years we were there. The third place was on my own. It was the first building my landlady ever owned. She did the construction work herself. We chatted for a while before she offered the lease. I must have passed muster. She even let me bring my cat at no charge.

Because I think i'm about to learn something new in reading the other responses. I had no idea until we moved into our current place that rent is negotiable. We were looking for a place in a certain range and had an agent assisting us in locating it. We were able to talk the landlord down by $150/month and also found out he was flexible on the lease terms. They were looking for someone to rent out the place for at least a year, but we were able to get them to 6 months and then month to month thereafter. I guess you don't know unless you ask!

Act as you would when buying a home--don't look too excited or anxious to have the place. Then ask for a discount--the worst they can say is "no." My husband and I got our rent reduced by $100/mo. just by asking when we moved into our current place (last Saturday!).

I now own a home but I have rented in the past, and I've always gotten my full damage deposit back. The key is to make sure you do a walk-through with the landlord/apartment manager BEFORE moving in to document any little things that might be wrong (scratch in the paint, spot on the carpet, etc.). Keeping your place clean and, when you move out, REALLY cleaning it and making sure it's immaculate is also important. And be sure to keep records of anything that transpires while you're living there (if a repairman accidentally scratches something, if you've seen any insect problems, etc.).

I found as a renter that the cheapest housing wasn't next door to the university or in the best parts of town. Look around the neighborhoods where you want to live and look a little beyond your neighborhood of choice; living on or near the edge of your desired environs might save you big bucks. Also, rent under your means; if you don't need the bells and whistles, don't pay for them. An apartment complex without a pool and exercise room and WIFI can still be perfect living space and is likely much cheaper.

I've been a landlord, too, and we always let tenants take the cost of materials off their rent. We also liked to have walkthroughs; it prevents a lot of problems later.

If you paint, however...don't paint the walls a dark color...please. I've had to paint three coats of primer over Barbie Doll pink enamel on the walls, and let me tell you, that was NOT fun.

If you don't have a credit history, or a rental history, be forewarned that landlords will not be happy and may turn you down. As a landlord, the report from the agency that says you are a good prospect is all we have to go on. We once rented to someone who had a good job, but no recent history as he was newly out of prison. We took a chance on him...big mistake. We ended up evicting him for non-payment [and he had tons of cash on him] because he was a drug addict and he and his girlfriend used one of the rooms as their shooting gallery and we had to clean blood off the walls and ceiling from where they'd discharged their needles.

If you have pets and want your deposit back, clean up after them. My husband had to replace linoleum and underlayment after a tenant's cat peed all over the floor for a year and a half. Needless to say, with the amount of cleaning and work involved to fix the place to make it rentable again, they didn't get their deposit back. They were pissed, but they were accountable for the actions of the cat and didn't take the time and effort to prevent or remediate the mess.