Back to Square 1

Yesterday, I left the cliffhanger as I'd reveal which apartment I finally chose. The answer is that I chose the one closer to the hotel, but I'm moving into neither. Let me 'splain.

I had made an offer on Monday on the apartment closest to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Here is how the conversation went (they were asking 950 Euro per month):

Me: I'll offer you 875 for the six month lease

Them: Let me check with my manager . . . (a few moments pass) . . . No we're pretty set on 950.

Me: Ok, I can go up to 950 if you give me a 3-month "break-out" clause.

Them: Let me check with my manager . . . (a few more moments pass) . . . Ok, we can do that. When do you want to move in?

Me: How's Thursday?

That's how the initial conversation was left. Ever since then, they've been trying to get me to remove the 3-month breakout clause saying things like, "so long as you give 28 days notice, we'll just take the deposit as the last month's rent." It sounded feasible, but I felt that I need to do some due diligence to validate their claims.

I read through Irish letting laws most of the afternoon. I did find reference to the 28 day notice period, however, I did not find it referenced where I would not be liable for the remainder of the lease if I was to break at 3-months. I also had somebody from my company do a little look into it for me as well. I called them back late this afternoon:

Me: I checked with my company and their recommendation is that I get either the break out clause or your interpretation of the 28-notice added to the contract in writing.

Them: Let me check with my manager . . . (hangs up, then calls me back shortly). Sorry, my manager and the landlord think that a 3-month breakout clause is just like a 3-month lease. The landlord needs a 6 month lease.

Me: Ok, if you remember, I made an initial offer on the apartment at 875 without the break out option. Here's what I'm willing to do: I'll offer 900 a month for the place.

Them: Let me check with my manager . . . (hangs up, then calls me back shortly). Sorry, the landlord can't go below 950. He's got a mortgage to pay.

Me: That's too bad. Have a nice day.

Though at least 10 wittier things to say have come to me since like "900 Euro is greater than zero Euro," or "It's harder to pay the mortgage without a lease." But I was still feeling pretty good because the other apartment still looked to be available.

Alas it was not. Back to square 1.