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Look now for a new place. If you are seeing options you like better than your current place, plan to move. If you're on the fence, thinking your moving options aren't much better than your current place, try to negotiate with your current landlord 60 days before the lease ends. Honestly, even if he does cancel the increase, he'll likely raise the rent next year, but that'll give you a year to put off moving.
And I disagree with the people who imply that you shouldn't object to a $50 increase. I'm a landlord too, and I would never raise the rent after two years unless I wanted the tenant to move. That's not how you keep good tenants. |
True but the truck or movers is a one time expense and won't be incurred every year. So if OP stays i nthe new place for even just 3-4 years they will still be saving a good bit of money. |
Are you sure your math is right? If you are spending $450 per month to commute, then you are each driving about 30 miles each way to work, assuming your car gets 20 miles to the gallon. To drop that cost in half, then you'd need to move 15 miles closer. Are you saying the cost of a townhouse is only $200 more per month to live 15 miles closer in than where you are now? That seems to good to be true, unless you are not working in the DC core but are working in Reston and living in Bethesda or something. |
| *too good to be true* |
..and you're a stupid business person. I raise my rent or keep it steady based on what the current comps are. If they don't like it, move out. I can get another tenant tomorrow. |