Dud3s

I wouldn't put money on you getting in.

Landlords typically look for the most money for the least hassle possible. Finding you work to pay of your own rent is not going to seem like a hassle-free situation for him.

At best, with my freelance work, I can pay him 30% of the rent a month.

Just as you do, landlords need financial security. I'm not trying to be cruel but I doubt they'll see any of that in you as things are.

Sounds like unless you know this guy, he won't bite. The most you can hope for, except in extreme circumstances, is a rent /reduction/. The percentage of the rent remaining would be a necessary payment, irrespective of whether you got enough work that month or not.

Here it is from the landlord's perspective;
1. He GETS an optional variable and known-to-be-60%-less-than usual payment each month (how does he know that you're honest?)
2. He GETS someone to do on-site maintenance for a 4 unit building which SHOULD basically maintain itself (mowing and vacuuming halls aside)
3. He LOSES a fixed full payment
4. He LOSES the need to mow and vacuum and POSSIBLY handle resident complaints (we're not sure the building has any need beyond actual maintenance!
5. He GETS a warm fuzzy feeling inside

So, there it is. He'll be losing 60% (or more) of the rent each month in exchange for some mowing, vacuuming and general cleanup services that he could probably do for about an hour every week. True, it's a nice thing to do - but landlords so rarely do the nice thing that I'm amazed.

You might want to just ask for a rent reduction (not more than 50%, even 50% seems really high for simple maintenance) in exchange for your services. Although, he probably already has maintenance staff...

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out. Also, remember before you go through all this trouble to make sure that its at least a place you'd want to live!

Oh, do note I'm talking about more maintenance than lawn, I mean carpentry work, plumbing, brick/paving work, etc.

At best, with my freelance work, I can pay him 30% of the rent a month.

I'm stating the obvious here, but if you can only afford to pay 30% of your rent by doing freelance work, then you need to find yourself a job. You will also need some savings in the bank to cover those months when payments aren't made on time or when work is slow.

Unless you've hinted at this arrangement prior to your meeting, you're wasting this guys time.

He's in the business of renting apartments, not subsidizing your choice to not have steady income.

Oh, do note I'm talking about more maintenance than lawn, I mean carpentry work, plumbing, brick/paving work, etc.

Assuming you are also a skilled trades person with the necessary papers, building experience, and a list of past clients and the building needed this sort of work, then I can see that a landlord might be interested. What sort of experience do you have?

Unless you've hinted at this arrangement prior to your meeting, you're wasting this guys time.

Agreed.

Good luck. If the landlord was me, I would not go along with the idea. I would be renting to add to my income, not decrease it.

Oh, do note I'm talking about more maintenance than lawn, I mean carpentry work, plumbing, brick/paving work, etc.

Unless, that is, he owns enough houses to keep somebody on full time and if that's the case, he probably already has some arrangement to deal with maintenance.

I'm stating the obvious here, but if you can only afford to pay 30% of your rent by doing freelance work, then you need to find yourself a job. You will also need some savings in the bank to cover those months when payments aren't made on time or when work is slow.

I agree with this.

You have to make money. Even if it means bagging groceries or doing something that you don't want to do, you are going to have to suck it up and get a job that allows you to make ends meet.

Even if your potential landlord does allow for the arrangement you propose (which I doubt, because I'm sure he has other potential tenants who can afford to pay the full rent) you have to eat. You have to pay your utility bill, phone bill, etc.

Working isn't something that we do because we want to, it's a necessity and an unfortunate fact of life. If you are sitting around waiting for freelance projects to roll in I suggest that that time is better spent earning tangible income however you can. It sucks but that's the breaks.

It would be wicked if the landlord agrees, but I think that depends on your conversation and debate skills.

It really looks like you'll have to find a short term job to pick up the slack before you can find something long term such as taking over your friends job (which sounds promising) or taking out a loan. You need to pay the bills somehow and there aren't many students that don't end up in debt.

I doubt he'd go for it. That's why landlords do credit checks in the first place. He's going on your word, period, that he's going to get 30% of his posted rent. It doesn't sound like a good business decision on his part.

Question to ponder:
1. What if you get hurt doing the landlord's work and you're not an employee of the landlord, so there's no workman's comp or medical coverage. Examples abound: lawnmower goes over your foot, falling off a ladder, nail goes into your finger...
2. Whatever happens, it's vital to get it in writing, not handshake form!
3. Have you seriously considered a less expensive apartment or a roommate?

I'd have to agree with the sentiment here. Chances are he'll see your arrangement as a bummer for him. Like Ollie said, "Landlords typically look for the most money for the least hassle possible." However, it helps that he's not a front for a big company. Actually the less property he rents the better your chances might be. I'd think. Means the chances increase he'll view you as a human being and less a dollar bill.

Regardless of how we all feel about it'd, be a pity if all this dissuades you from even broaching the subject. You never know unless you ask. So go in there with a plan and sell it to him, or don't make it about all he could lose but all he could gain. Might be helpful to even practice your pitch before the meeting. Long shot for sure, but everyday people walk away with things they normally wouldn't want because someone took the time to sell them on an idea. Take a shot and I hope it works out.

Dook, I know you've had a lot of problems with your roomates this past year, but I think you should be looking for a summer roomate if you can't make rent on your own.

Like everyone else said, the odds of a landlord taking you up on your offer is very slim. I once worked for a property management company that did nothing but work with owners like you described. Numerous owners would go in on one maintenence guy to spread the cost around.

There must be other students in the same boat, who want/need to stay in the area while school is out for the summer. And maybe you'll get lucky and find the perfect roomate for next year.