LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A local woman says she was being priced right out of her apartment. Her rent was going up nearly $600 a month, but that changed after 13 Action News got involved.
"I'm down to $1,380 from $1,745," says renter Cathy Sostaric.
Sostaric is thrilled. She just signed a one-year lease with a new agreement that saves her $365 per month from what her rent would have been.
"The anxiety just melted away, because I was really feeling it. It was really getting — it was getting a little tense, looking for a place," Sostaric said.
Earlier this month, Sostaric contacted 13 Action News after she learned the rent for her one-bedroom apartment near Russell Road and U.S. 95 was being raised an extra $590 per month.
"I totally understand things are going to go up and rent does go up...but that's just too much of an increase, too fast," Sostaric said.
A few days after her story aired on TV, the apartment manager called.
"She says, 'We're going to lower it to $1,380. We want to make it affordable.' I'm like, 'OK! Thank you so much,'" Sostaric recalled.
Sostaric says she couldn't believe it.
"Oh my God! Jaw dropped. I was, like, shocked," Sostaric said.
THE GOING RATE
Even though the new lease raises her rent by $225 per month, Cathy says she didn't hesitate on signing the new offer.
"That's kind of the going rate. That's what I've been finding out there. $1,380, $1,400 for a one-bedroom in a decent complex," Sostaric said.
Unfortunately, a lot of valley renters are getting sticker shock after seeing a spike in their rent.
MORE: Know your rights when it comes to rent hikes
"There are currently no rent control laws in Nevada," says attorney Taylor Altman with the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.
She says landlords are allowed to increase rent to match the going rate in the market, but recommends tenants try discussing a lower rate.
"They can certainly try to negotiate and say, 'I've been here X number of years; I've been a good tenant; I've conformed to all the provisions in my rental contract. I've paid rent on time. I'm a great tenant,'" Altman said.
CONSIDER BUYING
If a landlord isn't willing to work with you and you can't afford the going rate, you might consider buying instead. Programs like Make Homes Possible provide help with the home-buying process and even offer down payment assistance.
Sostaric says she's making plans to buy.
"I'm going to go out and I'm going to give myself a year to get it together. I'm going to get my own place, so nobody can do this to me anymore," she said.
Sostaric is just relieved to know she's got some time to find the right place.
