Housing
Calling About a Rental Listing
You saw a flat advertised online.
easy
Practice Pushing Back on a Rent Increase in English
Your landlord has just told you the rent is going up. Find out why, push back without wrecking the relationship, and see what you can get.
Live
English · Voice only 02:00
You're talking to: landlord
You: tenant
asking for the reason
Can I ask what's behind the increase?
pushing back without escalating
That's a bigger jump than I was expecting.
proposing a way to soften it
Could we do half of it now and the rest later?
Your goal
Get the reason for the increase, then either agree it, get it reduced, or get more time before it starts.
You'll practice
- Ask what's behind the increase
- Push back without escalating
- Get a lower number or more time
Phrases you'll actually use
Six lines that carry most of this conversation. You'll hear them, and you'll need them.
-
Can I ask what's behind the increase?
— asking for the reason
-
That's a bigger jump than I was expecting.
— pushing back without escalating
-
Could we do half of it now and the rest later?
— proposing a way to soften it
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I've never missed a payment in three years.
— reminding them what they've got
-
When exactly does the new rent start?
— pinning down the date
-
I'd want to stay, but not at that price.
— being honest about your limit
Level-up expressions
out of the blue
unexpectedly, without warning
This really came out of the blue.
jack something up
increase a price sharply
Why has the rent been jacked up so much?
take something on board
consider or accept feedback
I hope you'll take my concerns on board.
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