Rents are coming down. A good friend of mine had her lease due for renewal at the end of January. Last year she was paying €1050 a month, she noted that now rents in same area for similar properties were €900 a month. So she told letting agent she only wanted to pay €900. Landlord came back to say €925, which my friend said fine, but to be reviewed in 3 months as she called for a short term contract to be made up and if not lowered then she was moving out. He has since came back saying €900 for 12 months was therefore ok.
I thought it mad that he should try risk being down rent for at least 1 month looking for new tenants for trying to play hard ball for €300 over the year.
Bwdbwd, ontour had a good suggestion regarding a cash back at end of lease. If you say no way to lowering rent and they move out, how long will it take you to re-rent, will you have to re-use agent and re-pay agent finding fees? Even if you manage to keep the current tenants deposit would you have to lower rent anyhow for a new tenant?