JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Legal experts and housing analysts are offered advice to help renters understand their rights and explore potential ways to negotiate lower monthly payments.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently announced a lawsuit against several major U.S. landlords, alleging they engaged in price fixing by sharing sensitive data about rental prices and occupancy rates.
The lawsuit has sparked concerns among renters nationwide, including in Jacksonville, where residents face rising rent costs.
More than 50% of Jacksonville renters are classified as “cost-burdened,” according to data from the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida. This means over half of renters in the city are spending a significant portion of their income on housing, leaving many struggling to make ends meet.
For renters facing temporary financial hardships or struggling with high rent, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid lawyer Rafael Mas emphasized the importance of proactive communication with landlords.
“It could be more likely to request a rent decrease if the decrease is for a temporary period of time—let’s say for a few months,” Mas said. “And of course, the landlord has to be on board and agree with that. If an agreement is ever reached, make sure to have that in writing. A lot of people use email nowadays, but document everything in writing. That helps.”
Mas recommended starting rent negotiations before a lease ends, ideally before the required notice period to renew or end a lease. He said landlords are more willing to work with tenants during this time as they seek to secure reliable renters for the future.
“Usually, the best way to do it is in writing and to have everything available for future reference. This ensures anything you say is clear and indisputable,” he added.
Rent trends in Jacksonville are showing some signs of relief. According to Ken Johnson, a real estate professor at the University of Mississippi, rents in the city have decreased slightly.
“Actual rents in Jacksonville, interestingly, year over year, are down 2% annually. So rents are not going up—they’re actually going down,” Johnson said.
The current average rent in Jacksonville is $1,706 per month, slightly below statistical projections, which estimate the figure should be closer to $1,742. Johnson attributed this stabilization in rental prices to an increase in housing supply.
“Jacksonville’s population has increased by nearly 20% over the past 10 years,” he said, referencing Census data. “What’s really happened in the last year or so is that supply has been catching up, especially on the multifamily side. Supply has been catching up with demand when it comes to housing.”
For renters hoping to lower their monthly payments, experts suggest several strategies. Researching rental prices for comparable properties in the area is one way to gain leverage during negotiations. Tenants can also ask their landlords to match competitive rates.
Another option is to consider signing a longer lease in exchange for a lower monthly rate, or, if financially feasible, offering several months of rent upfront as an incentive for landlords.