Is it normal formal for appartments to charge you more money if you sign 6 month lease as opposed to 12 months

i am getting an appartment and although i havent signed the lease yet, it is pretty set. With the leasing office i originally spoke abt getting a 12 month lease, but now i want a 6 months lease instead. They said that i can do that since the lease hasnt been signed, however now the tell me that i have to pay $55 extra every month if i have a 6 month lease as opposed to 12. They didnt mention it before at all, they said i can sign the lease for 6 or 12 months, and never mentioned that there is an extra charge. I dont know if most appartments do that, or are they just trying to scam me at the last moment? PLease help, i need to make a de3cision soon.

Having the property vacant, and having to market it, are both huge expenses for the landlord. So yes, it's very common to pay more for a shorter lease term. Month-to-month leases can be $200 higher, if they're started that way.

About all you can do, if you really insist on the 6 month term, is hold your ground and refuse to pay more. They then have to decide if they'd rather get 6 months for sure today, or wait and maybe lose more money waiting to find a new tenant for that unit.

They had no reason to mention the higher cost unless you mentioned the shorter term. It doesn't seem at all like they're trying to hide that or scam you. You asked about a 12 month term first.

Just tell them you'll sign 6 months at the 12 month rate. Take it or leave it. They'll probably just take it.

Yes, very common to charge more for 6 month lease. They would rather you lock you in for 12 months.

Actually yes that is quite common. It is their way to recoup some of the costs they lose when you don't occupy a residence for 12 months which is a standard lease.

Yes, it's pretty normal. Instead of having to worry about who'll rent the place 12 months from now, they have to worry about it in only 6 months. It takes time and money to find tenants.

Yes, it is common for apartments to charge extra for a 6 month lease. Perhaps you could negotiate with the apartment.

Yes, this is very common, and all the reasons previously stated have been correct... These scenarios might further help you understand the property management companies reasoning:

- Why do you pay more for food items at a normal grocery store as opposed to buying it in bulk at ... sams club?
- Why do cell phone companies discount you more for signing a longer contract?
- As far as buying Promotional Products/Marketing Items, lets say pens... Why are you paying .29 cents each if you buy 150 as opposed to .19 cents each when you buy 300?

I suppose the list could go on and on, but the point is, buying in bulk (in your case, signing a longer lease) discounts the price because you are freeing up inventory..

Hope this helps you in understanding that you are not getting ripped off..