---
title: 'Ramit Sethi: Here''s How To Negotiate Your Rent'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=6HBrKvZOnR8'
video_id: '6HBrKvZOnR8'
date: 2026-08-17
duration_sec: 138
channel: 'CNBC Make It'
---

# Ramit Sethi: Here's How To Negotiate Your Rent

> Source: [Ramit Sethi: Here's How To Negotiate Your Rent](https://youtube.com/watch?v=6HBrKvZOnR8)

## Summary

In this video, Ramit Sethi reveals that rent—the single biggest expense for most people—is often negotiable, even in competitive markets like Manhattan. He provides a simple, data-driven strategy to approach landlords and save hundreds of dollars per month.

### Key Points

- **Rent is negotiable** [00:00] — Rent is the biggest expense for most people, yet many never consider negotiating it.
- **Market conditions matter** [00:13] — Even in Manhattan, a glut of apartments makes rents negotiable, depending on factors like market trends and vacancy rates.
- **Use data to strengthen your position** [00:28] — Use data to support your case, such as citing that rents in the neighborhood are trending down by over 15%.
- **Highlight your value as a tenant** [00:52] — Frame yourself as a good, long-term tenant and emphasize the hassle of moving to encourage the landlord to agree.
- **Timing is key** [01:21] — Start negotiations about two months before lease renewal to allow time to decide whether to stay or move.
- **Leverage the landlord's pain** [01:35] — If the landlord refuses, moving out costs them thousands in lost income, giving you leverage.

## Transcript

The single biggest expense for most people is their rent and yet they never take the time to realize...
In fact, it's true even in Manhattan where I am sitting right now. You can negotiate rents because there is a glut of apartments. Now it's true it depends on a variety of factors.
All these things factor in to the negotiability. You say, "Based on the data, it appears that apartments in this
neighborhood are trending down by... In some neighborhoods right now, they're down over 15%. What you say to them is, "I've been a good tenant.
I plan to be here for many years more. I'd like to negotiate for a lower rate. It might be a pain for you to move out.
It is a pain to pack up all your stuff and move. But if you can negotiate, you can often save hundreds of dollars a month. All for one single conversation.
I would recommend you begin this conversation about two months before Because if they say no, then you have a decision to make. Do you want to stay and basically eat it or do you want to move out?
If you move out, they've got to scramble. That's thousands and thousands of dollars in lost income to them.
So remember this: Your rent can be negotiated. Sometimes your landlord will flatly say no. But when it does work, it works big.