Doug and Carla's Bargain

Doug and Carla will be moving into their rental soon. They asked for a two year lease, as they figure it will take that long to get their goals together and get to the point where buying a home again is in their future. That's all well and good, but the landlord "sprang" something on them that--even though I told them they should expect it prior to them signing the lease--they didn't expect. 

You see, the landlord told them they would extend a two year lease with a provision the rent goes up $100 a month starting in the second year. To me, this is a no-brainer, to Doug and Carla this was an outlandish attack and they would not stand for such a thing! 

Now then, you'd think my job would be to open doors to pretty houses, smile and pass out keys to the homeless. And yes, I do that too. But I am also part psychologist, voice of reason and life coach. 

As I explained to Doug and Carla: they are talking about $1,200 a year to not move next July. That means, no Uhaul, no new deposit on utilities, no begging  friends (once again) to spend a sweaty Saturday in the Arizona heat, helping move all their worldly belongings from point A to point B. It means they aren't spending late June through July looking for another place to live, where the rent will probably be higher than the $100 and once again Doug's past will have to be sold to another sympathetic landlord. There is no new security deposit. No new cleaning deposit. No new schools for Doug and Carla's kids to get used to. 

Prices aren't going down so they will have to pay more to live somewhere next year. After all, there will still be a shortage of rental homes. Besides, they got this place at a screaming deal (thank you El Jefe).  Plus--if they stayed in their cute little condo, they would be paying significantly more a year from now because of increases in HOA and taxes. So, they shouldn't be surprised the landlord also has these expenses. 

I can't put a price on convenience, but I see agreeing to pay a bit more for next year's lease to be worth more than they bargained for.