How To Negotiate a Partial Rent Payment

You should try to negotiate a partial rent payment with your landlord if you are short on cash.Don't shut your eyes and hope the problem will go away.If you miss a rent payment, your landlord will contact you.If you can't afford to pay, contact your landlord.You might be able to get partial payment from him or her.

Step 1: How much do you have left over?

You do not want your check to bounce.If your rent is $750 a month but you only have $450 in your checking account, don't offer to pay $500 as a partial payment.Your landlord will be angry when your check bounces.If your check bounces, your landlord can charge you a fee.You should go through every source of money you have.How much do you have?When will you be able to pay the rent in full?There is a chance that the parent of your child is late on child support.You should try to figure out when you will get the full amount.If you have to, contact the other parent.Your boss might be late with payroll.When will you get your check?

Step 2: Write to your landlord.

You shouldn't wait.Send a note or email to ask if you can make a partial payment at a later date.The first thing you can do is say, "I'm writing to ask if I can make a partial payment on my rent for this month."At the moment, I don't have the full amount.Don't offer the maximum amount that you can afford in the letter.If the landlord wants to negotiate, leave room to go up.

Step 3: If you want to pay the full amount, give a deadline.

You should tell the landlord when the rest of the rent will be paid.I will have the rest of the rent on the 15th.

Step 4: Why are you late?

If you have a good reason for not having the full amount of rent, you might want to explain it to your landlord.Make sure you have a reason for being late.Don't say you've been irresponsible and have to pay your credit cards off.If you give this as a reason for being late with rent, your landlord will assume that you won't be able to pay rent in the future.You may be short of funds for a legitimate reason.A new job might have you hold your first pay check for a month.You will not be late in the future.Explain the situation to your landlord.

Step 5: Not to be late again.

If you promise not to be late again, you will have a better chance of getting the landlord to agree to a partial payment.Give reasons for the landlord to believe you.You could say, for example, "I promise that I won't be late again."I will have the full amount on the day rent is due when I am paid on a regular schedule after this month.

Step 6: Tell us your phone number.

You can assume your landlord knows how to contact you.Tell your landlord how to reach you in your letter.You could close your letter by saying that you hope the offer is acceptable to you.If so, please let me know as soon as possible.The rent payment can be discussed at the same phone number.

Step 7: Speak to your landlord.

Your landlord will either accept partial payment or reject it.You need to negotiate if the landlord rejects it.If you have been a good tenant and your reason for being late is plausible, your landlord should be willing to accept partial payment.It will take too much time for your landlord to evict you.Your landlord may have to give you a couple of weeks to pay your rent.If the landlord brings a suit to evict you, you have a couple weeks to respond.You will probably have the rest of the money by that time.

Step 8: Don't be afraid to negotiate.

People avoid negotiation because of their fears.They are afraid of being rejected or angry with the landlord.To negotiate effectively, you need to overcome your fears.Why do you worry that you might look pushy?No one will know that you're negotiating with your landlord.You don't have to fear rejection.Your landlord will reject the partial payment.If he does this, he will need to evict you, advertise for a new tenant, and perform background checks on new applicants.If the landlord gets the full payment in a few weeks, that is a lot of work.

Step 9: A counter-offer should be made.

Increase the amount you are willing to pay if the landlord insists on full payment.You could offer $400 if you initially offered $300 in your letter.I can give you $400 right now.It will be difficult to buy groceries, but I can give you the money today.I will be paid on the 15th so I can get you the rest of the money.

Step 10: Try to get rid of the late fees.

Late charges or interest may be tacked on by your landlord.The charges and fees are usually spelled out in your lease.Take out the lease and read it again.You should ask if you can get rid of late fees.It is worth asking, but your landlord might not agree.You don't want to pay more than you have to.

Step 11: Borrow from family.

See if you can get a loan from your family.It is possible to get an interest-free loan.Tell them that you need cash fast to cover your rent payment.Pay day lenders can charge high interest rates, so don't borrow from them.You are more likely to get into debt if you take out these kinds of loans.

Step 12: Sell things.

You can try to sell things if you need money.Pawning valuables such as jewelry or electronic equipment is possible.It could take a week or so to complete the sale on eBay, though you could get your money.You could advertise on the internet.You can list items for sale on the internet.Ask for cash payment and name your price.You won't have to worry about the buyer's check bouncing if you get cash payment.

Step 13: If necessary, get a money order.

If you don't have enough time to get to the bank, you may only have cash on you.You can get a money order from your nearest Post Office.