Advice needed - long, but please read

First a brief background - DH and I started the home buying process in Dec of 2011. We found out that there was a outstanding student loan negatively affecting his credit - unfortunately I cannot get the mortgage alone as I need his income. We were referred to a reputable credit repair agency by our mortgage broker. The contract we signed was for 6 months, and a guaranteed raise in credit score of 20%.

Our lease expires on May 31 on our apartment. I received the renewal letter today - the terms are either one year or two years. I really don't want to sign a one year lease. Does anyone have any advice on how to negotiate lease terms. Its a management company, but they only have the one building. We have been there for 6 years, never late on rent. I would be willing to sign a 6 month lease and thought offering more rent would be a good negotiating tool.

Re: Advice needed - long, but please read

Personally, I wouldn't offer them anything. I would ask for 6 months and go from there.

Re: Advice needed - long, but please read

Re: Advice needed - long, but please read

Re: Advice needed - long, but please read

I would just see if you can go month to month first, to give even more flexibility than a 6 month lease. I know when we were moving out of our city apartment and buying a house on LI, we were able to go month to month -- with the understanding that we'd give 30 days notice when we wanted to terminate the lease. Some management companies will do that, especially if there's a big enough demand for the rental.

If that's not an option, maybe a 6 month lease is.

But I agree - do NOT offer to pay more rent upfront. Don't show your hand when your negotiating... keep some bargaining chips in your back pocket.

Re: Advice needed - long, but please read

Thanks so much for the great advice!! I am going to wait until mid April to call. Unfortunately the landlord is not on premises, but I could talk to him on the phone.