Ways to save on rent

Editor's note: This is a transcript of the audio file.

Sometimes, finding the best deal on your rental property just requires being a little bit flexible. I'm Kristin Arnold with your Bankrate.com Personal Finance Minute.

As home prices fall, rental rates continue to rise, but with the right timing, you can coerce your landlord into a lower rental rate. The length of your lease can have a big impact on the cost. Savvy landlords want their property to become available during the peak time of year for movers, May through September.

Timing out the length of your lease so that it ends during those months can be an incentive for landlords to lower your monthly rent. Another thing to consider is your move-in date. Because it's easier not to have everyone moving in at the same time, landlords might cut you a break if you move in at the middle of the month.

And finally, when you want your landlord's ear to discuss specifics or tour a unit, the middle of the week will find them less busy than the weekends. To find more money saving tips, visit Bankrate.com. I'm Kristin Arnold.