I've been renting a one bedroom here in Mayfair for almost three years. My rent has never gone up, which is the reason I stay there.

So I saw a one bedroom advertised on Cottman today. I called for a friend who might be up to moving into this neighborhood if it was cheap.

Are you ready for a shock? They wanted $675! Crazy! They claim it was just redone but the rent asking price still seems steep! Or have I just gotten comfortable in my 3 year old rent price?

What is the expected price for a one bedroom around here? I'm talking Torresdale to Cottman to Frankford- Mayfair. Not Rhawnhurst or near Welsh and the Blvd. I know my rent has been too affordable. I'm now nervous thinking the slumlord will see that price and think of raising my rent!

Melissa

Melissa i have heard of a few landlords forcing tenants out to get higher rents. Lets hope your landlord appreciates you as a tenant.

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Yea, I think he doesn't care enough to kick me out for a higher rent. He'd have to fix up the apartment's kitchen and bathroom. It needs too much work and I don't think he'd be willing to do it since I had asked him before.... I've rented from him for almost three years and feel safe so far.

He had a hard time renting it out before me so he probably isn't willing to let me go. Still, I can't help but wonder what the average rent cost is in my area. I always stay here because I know I can't find anything cheaper but I still look for something better...

I do believe that a landlord can only raise a rent about 20% per year or lease or year whatever that may be.

That $600 plus rent seems high for the area you spoke of. Whoever the owner is that is renting that place sounds like they are trying to get something back on his investment of fixing up the place. The place was probably a pit before and he probably put in a couple faucets and a new toilet and painted the place, and odds and ends, and thinks he can get that.

As it is right now, many investors from the New York Area have purchased many of the homes in the area, and now they are thinking that is CHEEP to charge that for rent. So that case senario could be just that, an investor trying to gain something on his investment.

They are trying to get back something on their investments, and this is the way to do it. But they are really locking themselves in. Because no one is going to want to put that out for a one bedroom joint. If you were going to do that and pay that kind of a rent for this area then why not just try and purchase a home of your own.

I live behind a guy who rents and I am telling you he constantly has people moving in and moving out. I wonder if he is Eliminating them and keeping the deposits. Very weird.

But in any event people who rent properties can have the worst problems with tennants. They disappear in the night and stiff them on rent, past and present. And they ar e left holding the bag. And who knows what that bag holds. They could walk into that place after and it could be trashed beyond belief. I am sure this happens all of the time.

So when someone has someone who is a reliable renter, they pay their rent they are timely and are not a nuisance, the landlords are happy campers. So stay where you are, for now, look around if you feel you must, but if you have cheep rent, stay with it until you have no choice but to leave. Especially if you like where you live.

I am sure this could open a whole new blog situation on both parts of the landlord verses the renter situation.


And the ugly and the good stories that may follow. I am sure there are many stories to be had on this topic.

I actually hate the apartment I have been renting for almost three years but I stay because until next year, I cannot afford more in rent. When I moved in, the place was in shambles and I used my own money to fix up what I could, without the slumlord giving any care. Still, I cannot afford to move and the neighbor that shares the house with me (I rent a duplex) is awful. That renter is not going anywhere so I put up with them. The slumlord needs to fix up the property if he wants to raise my rent so I think that is why I have not seen a rent increase since I started here.

$675 for Cottman Ave in Mayfair is absolutely too high, improvements or not... I think that is why I've seen that place occasionally have a rent sign out front.... who would want to pay that much for that place?

That is far too high for this area. Especially leaving right on Cottman. I pay $500 for a one bedroom by Lincoln stadium. I'm sure that the Cottman place was a big one bedroom but that's astronomical. Have a friend who lives at Vista and Frankford. Very big one bedroom and he only pays $550 and he moved in only 6 months ago. Keep looking, you'll find something.

Oh no, I won't move unless I can find a place that I like for the same amount of rent I am paying now- in no way am I paying $675. That price is the one which is listed for rent down the street from me. Eek! Don't tell anyone that I am only paying $400 for a one bedroom. The bathroom and kitchen are in horrible shape and I also have to deal with a terrible neighbor- but I can tolerate those problems unless my rent goes up!

Are you in the area now?

Melissa, you are officially in Tacony. Frankford Ave is the dividing line.

The apartment above the dentist office on the 6200 block of Frankford may be available. It's a big two bedroom place.

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All comments made by me on his board are given freely and probably worth what you paid for them.

My friends rents a 3br airlite (garage, 2 car driveway, front/back yard) on St Vincet St for $800 /mo. Supposedly most nice homes in that area go for $1000 /mo. I know the 2brs +garage (duplex homes) just off the Blvd and St Vincent are now getting $700 /mo. His house isnt the best looker, so the price was adjusted.