How to negotiate a lease Make sure you get all the details written out and agreed to before you sign on the dotted line. You'll have to abide by that agreement for the term of the lease. Steps: 1. Make a list of what is important to you and what details you want to include in the agreement. 2. Study the lease agreement as it is written and highlight any areas you want to change or negotiate. 3. Explain to the landlord your reasons for wanting or needing the change. 4. Be willing to give something up in order to get something else. 5. Act responsibly and respectfully. You'll have more success if you are pleasant to deal with. 6. Or if you find a great apartment but it lacks services such as utilities, cable TV and Internet access, ask the landlord to throw some in at no charge. Many newer buildings will. Or offer to sign a longer-term lease or give a higher security deposit in exchange for more services. 7. Examine your lease in detail: How much notice is required prior to moving, how large a deposit you have to make, how much cleaning is required upon leaving to get your deposit back, and other provisions. Some agreements require first and last months' rent plus a security deposit--a significant chunk of change. Is the lease month to month, or a 6- or 12-month period? 8. Find out what kinds of cosmetic changes you can make, such as painting walls, or structural changes, such as adding shelving. 9. Get everything in writing once you agree. Tips: • Remember that your ability to bargain depends on whether the landlord is anxious to have you as a tenant or there are plenty of other great prospective tenants from whom to choose. • Negotiating the lease also involves such items as rent-due date, move-in date and things to be fixed or improved before the move-in date.