I am not sure what gotten into me. Well, I have been torn about this for some time. I have been staying at a room in an apartment for a while. I like the place. I have got used to it over the process of the year (close to 1.5 years).
So I am keen to stay there for another year. However, the rental I am paying was fixed 2 years ago before big economy hoo-has in this small tropical country of mine. The utility fees have skyrocketed from 20+ dollars to 100+ dollars. The amount I am paying now is 350. If I am to leave and find another place, it could be as high as 600.
When I broach the subject to the landlord about extending the lease for another year, I don’t know what came into me. I offered to increase my rent. From 350 to 375 or 400. Since you know, I am going to get a job soon, not just a student who survived by freelancing and assisting professors with research. It helps to offset the utility fees. Oh, which I am not paying. That was part of the original contract - rental of room only, utility fees covered by the family (because there are 4 of them and only one of me).
I think I am dumb. But I feel this is the right thing to do - the family has been kind, relationship is cordial, I really want to stay here, it’s close to my new workplace, I am used to the place and etc.
Then I feel even dumber. I mean, isn’t it a wise practice not show that you are desperate during negotiation? What if they catch it and suggest a super-unreasonable rent, such as 500 or 600 instead of the original 350?
Maybe I should have kept quiet until they say “Hey, when are you moving?” but for some reasons I decide to face the fear and just raise the issue proactively.
Now I feel like lousy. I made a tactical blunder!! I wanted to show my appreciation for my landlord and his family too. Conflicted.
Argh.
Help.
By offering to pay 400, you probably made them feel bad about wanting to raise it to 500. I wouldn’t sweat it.
No, here’s what’s dumb: I once rented a basement apartment. It was really dingy, so I painted all the walls in all the rooms, put in a new tile floor, and installed brighter ceiling fixtures . . . all at my own expense. When the landlady came by to renew my lease, she said, “Oh, this place is a lot nicer than I remember it.” She doubled my rent. :smack:
OR he’ll think you’re a pushover and ask for 600. 
Which is what I am afraid will happen. I shoot myself in the foot over again just because, well, I am not the mercenary sort or practical sort. There was once I was buying a table for my room and the boss at the shop said, “We may have to charge for delivery depending on where you live” and I said, “Of course!”. A friend with me then draw me one side and said that I shouldn’t have done that. Put on a tough front so they won’t charge for the delivery and etc, he said.
Somehow I feel I am going to be torn to bits when I get out into the working world.
Water under the bridge now. For future reference, you prolly want to reverse the order of that “spend more/increase income” thing.
I think Santo Rugger has the right idea. They may have been mulling over raising your rent to something like $500, but were 50/50 on the idea. Maybe they’ll see this as a compromise. They don’t have to piss you off with a large rent increase, but they’ll make a bit back on the higher utilities.
It was definitely unconventional for you to offer, but it may have been both generous and strategic. I wouldn’t sweat it too much yet, anyhow.
Just an update (well, I have been looking over my post records. It’s a Sunday afternoon and I am bored).
I have been checking - the market rate for a room in an apartment now is indeed $500. I met someone from out of the country who is renting a room one quarter the size of mine for $375.
Hope the price just stays capped at $400 for me.
While it may be debatable whether this was the best financial move, take comfort in the fact that not many people would rather deal fairly than take advantage.
:::End fortune cookie:::
Seriously, they say what comes around goes around (this time its the good stuff). Maybe your landlord will be reminded that you are a good guy/girl by your offer and accept the 375-400. I think in addition to being nice, I think it adds a nice touch of appreciation for him and his property.
Consider that, when you move out and move on with your life, your action here might result in this landlord being a really good reference for you in the future. That extra sum might well reap non-monetary but still important rewards down the line.
As it happens, my good relationship with my current landlord has result in him offering more work to me post-layoff in these wretched economic times than anyone else, which has enabled me to keep afloat for the past 15 months. Being nice to people can really result in good things for you.
That said, don’t be too eager to raise your own rent… it should only be done in circumstances such as you describe where there is a really significant difference between what you’re paying and what the market rate is.