conversation: User (WinterHill): "I'm in the process of renting a new apartment closer to where I work in the city. \n\nLast week I toured an apartment which I loved, so I submitted my application and made an offer. The landlord met me halfway on my offer and lowered the rent by a bit. Great!\n\nI still have yet to sign the lease, and I'm supposed to do that this week. However I got a text from the real estate agent today that the owner wants me to sign a 16 month lease instead of the typical 12 months. \n\nI assume this is because the owner doesn't want to have to deal with renting out the unit "off-season", as a 16 month lease would put the rental renewal period right in the peak of renting season in September, as opposed to now.\n\nOn one hand, I like the idea of locking in the same rent for an extra 4 months, and wouldn't mind helping the owner out in good faith, seeing as they lowered the rent at my request so far. \n\nBut on the other hand, it seems like the 16 month lease might be shooting myself in the foot, as the lease would then be up for renewal in a much stronger market, meaning the owner could be more likely to raise the rent in the future. Plus it would be a pain for me to have to move during the busiest time of year as well.\n\nCan anyone comment on what's the best course of action, or have experience with a similar scenario?\n\n**Edit**: I should also mention that there was no mention of a 16 month lease until I had already submitted my application for a 12 month lease. This is why I'm considering saying no to the 16 month lease, because it feels like they're just trying to see what I'll agree to.\n\n**Edit2**: Thanks for the advice from everyone. I read through all of the comments. After thinking about it, I figure that a 16 month lease will actually work out well for me. The main thing I was concerned about was potential price gouging due to renewing the lease again next fall. However, after hearing from a few landlords here, it seems like trying to get your properties to renew in the peak season is actually common practice, and doesn't necessarily indicate that they're trying to pull anything on me. It's possible that they will try and spring a big rent increase on me next year, but I think overall that's unlikely, seeing as I plan on being a good and responsible tenant, which is much more valuable to a landlord than trying to squeeze a few extra bucks out of the place per month, and having to relist the place.\n\nAnother factor which I didn't mention is that this apartment has a great patio space, and signing for another 4 months means I'm guaranteed to have the place for next summer when I can continue to enjoy the patio in the warm weather!\n\nI'm supposed to be signing the lease this afternoon, after checking it over very carefully obviously. Thanks again everyone. "
  Self: "I would want to know what jurisdiction you are renting the property in before I give you too much advice. One of the biggest things that effect such things is local laws on renting properties. Some places the rules are very tenant friendly and basically would require the landlord to almost rent it back to you at same price for a period of time, or deal with a really stressful process. This front loads incentives for Landlords to renew and keep prices stable. Other more market friendly locations allow the landlord a great deal more power and do not protect much and are guided strongly by the terms of the lease. "
  