Fire the property manager. It's important to show dominance. Then leave for a beer lunch in your leased white BMW. Forget about the lease renewal for a few weeks and let the work orders go unanswered. Reach out to the owner and bemoan over their "problem property". Route to get the property on the market for a value add play. Make 10x on the sale commission over the lease and never have to deal with that property manager ever again. Win win

You should be trying to open a line of communication with the owner directly. You are signing the lease with the owner, not the property manager. [Disclaimer: this is general information, not legal advice].

Having guided countless property transactions, here's what works: Demonstrate Value First ? Show your track record of timely payments ? Highlight your property maintenance history ? Document rule compliance Support With Market Data ? Current rental trends ? Recent transaction comparisons ? Area vacancy rates Present The Business Case ? Cost of tenant turnover ? Vacancy period losses ? New tenant uncertainties Pro Tip: Good tenants are valuable assets. The best negotiations focus on mutual long-term benefits rather than short-term gains. Need property insights? Follow me for weekly market updates.

A proactive approach makes all the difference. Document Everything– I always keep a record of past rent payments, maintenance requests, and any improvements I’ve made to the property. This not only strengthens my position but also shows goodwill. Know the Market, But Also the Landlord's Perspective – Understanding rental trends is important, but I’ve found that learning about the landlord’s motivations (e.g., rising property taxes, maintenance costs) helps frame my negotiation in a way that benefits both parties. Offer Value beyond rent – Once, instead of agreeing to a steep rent hike, I proposed handling minor maintenance myself in exchange for a moderate increase. The landlord agreed, saving us both time and money.

Lease renewal disputes require strategy, not standoffs. Start with open communication—align on market data, tenant needs, and long-term value. Be flexible yet firm, exploring creative terms like phased rent increases or extended lease incentives. Compromise builds relationships, not just contracts