Skip to main content

Do rent concessions make sense for landlords?

At a model apartment kitchen island, a leasing agent points to a printed offer for a prospective renter, with a gift bag and a key fob nearby
  1. Effective rent over the lease
  2. State the offer clearly
  3. Weigh vacancy costs

The short answer

A concession can improve a leasing offer, but compare its full cost with vacancy, future renewal expectations and legal requirements. State the terms clearly and distinguish advertised base rent from the effective cost over the lease.

On this page

Compare complete offers

Include concession timing, eligibility, fees, utilities and lease length. Check applicable advertising and local rules. Do not hide a required charge behind an appealing headline rent.

Plan the renewal conversation

A temporary discount can create a large increase in actual monthly outlay when it ends. Explain the arrangement and review renewal limits before assuming you can reset the payment freely.

Worked example

At $1,800 monthly for 12 months, one free month reduces scheduled base-rent receipts from $21,600 to $19,800, or $1,650 per month on average. Other charges and vacancy still need separate treatment.

References and next steps

Use these references for the specific topic they cover. Local requirements and individual circumstances may differ.

The Rentari team writes and updates this guide. Examples illustrate decisions and do not describe customer results. Found an error or an unclear step? Send a correction with a link to this page and the wording you’d change.