I'm going to be renting a studio in Soho in the next few weeks (for a year) and I was wondering if those with a better feel for the market had any advice on how much leeway I had to negotiate with landlords on rent.

I appreciate any help.

The more committed you are to a specific neighborhood, the less bargaining power you have.If you are willing to be down near Canal, or a little bit east or west of "Classic" SoHo, you'll have more leverage.

If you MUST be on Broome, well, then, I'd ask for five percent off last year's rent and see what the ll
says.

ali r.
{downtown broker}

If you have the cash to do so offer them a year's rent up front and see if they are willing to accept a discount.

Example: if the asking rent is 3,000 per month offer them 33,000 cash up front for a year. It may work wonders; it may not.

FWIW I don't think you ought to offer a full year's rent up front. Just not a good idea. If you do, good luck if you ever need anything fixed.

Interesting info thanks. I'm flexible but of course I have preferences. Would it be too aggressive to offer 90% of last year's rent or is it worth a try?