How a tenant lowered his rent, what moving to the burbs costs, & more

By Austin Havens-Bowen | July 24, 2020 - 1:30PM

This week, readers visited Brick Underground to learn how one Park Slope renter negotiated a lower rent when he renewed his lease. He researched the concessions and discounts similar Brooklyn apartments were offering and asked his landlord to drop the rent by 12 percent. They countered with a 10 percent discount, which he accepted.

Also of interest: A breakdown of the costs of moving and living in the suburbs compared to NYC. You get much more square footage for your money in the burbs, but paying for maintaining a yard, owning a car, and higher property taxes can make it more expensive than city living.

Here, in full, are this week's most popular posts.

1) I negotiated a lower rent when renewing my lease. Here’s how I did it

2) How much does moving to the suburbs cost vs. staying in NYC?

3) NYC rent-to-own condo programs gain momentum in the Covid era

4) Rental demand plunges in Manhattan, jumps in some parts of Queens and Brooklyn

5) Surge in signed contracts may indicate return of Manhattan buyers

Austin Havens-Bowen

Writer

Austin Havens-Bowen is a writer and reporter. He previously covered local news for the Queens Ledger and The Hunts Point Express in the Bronx. He graduated from Hunter College with a BA in media studies. He rents a one-bedroom apartment in Astoria with his boyfriend and their two cats.

SEE MORE BY Austin Havens-Bowen »

Brick Underground articles occasionally include the expertise of, or information about, advertising partners when relevant to the story. We will never promote an advertiser's product without making the relationship clear to our readers.