10 Polite Ways to Turn Down a Rental Offer

Not every rental offer is going to be perfect for you. Therefore, you’ll need to know how to turn down an offer when presented to you by a landlord.

Luckily, you have options!

This article has gathered some great polite phrases to show you how to tell a landlord you’re not interested.

• I’m sorry, but some better options came along
• I’ve decided to pursue another rental option
• I appreciate your offer, but I have decided to explore other opportunities
• I have decided to go in a different direction
• It’s a nice offer, but I’ve found a place that better suits my needs
• I have decided to continue my search for a rental property
• I’m afraid I’d like to explore other rental options
• I’ve decided to pass on this opportunity, but I appreciate your consideration
• Unfortunately, I cannot accept this offer from you
• I’m afraid I will have to decline your offer

Keep reading to learn how to turn down a landlord if you’ve changed your mind after a rental application (or any other reason you feel is appropriate to decline).

1. I’m Sorry, but Some Better Options Came Along

To withdraw a rental offer, you can say “I’m sorry, but some better options came along.” It shows you’ve considered other options while remaining polite.

Generally, this won’t upset the landlord too much. After all, they’ll be able to look for other tenants who might be able to move in.

You can focus more on new rental properties (or ones that have already offered you something). It’s a great way to keep things civil, so we highly recommend this choice.

You can also review this email example:

Dear Mr. White,

I’m sorry, but some better options came along. I genuinely appreciate your kind offer, though.

I wish you all the best,
Sam Kingston

2. I’ve Decided to Pursue Another Rental Option

You can include “I’ve decided to pursue another rental option” in a letter to your landlord. It shows there are no hard feelings, but you’d like to explore other options.

Generally, this is a good way to keep things friendly and polite between yourself and the landlord.

It’s usually in your best interest to remain civil with landlords (even if you haven’t lived in their house). That way, if you’re friendly with them, you could always come back to them if necessary.

Perhaps this example will also help you with it:

Dear Tucker,

I’ve decided to pursue another rental option. Thank you so much for working with me on this, but I have to decline.

Best regards,
Toby Maguire

3. I Appreciate Your Offer, but I Have Decided to Explore Other Opportunities

You can write a soft rejection by starting with “I appreciate your offer.” It builds things up in a more respectful manner, making it a great choice to include in an email.

From there, you can say “but I have decided to explore other opportunities.” It keeps things direct and honest, letting a landlord know that you won’t accept their offer.

Whether you need to decline a rental offer because of your salary or some other reason, this phrase works best. It’s a great way to keep things positive with a landlord.

You can also review this email sample:

Dear Miss Morrison,

I appreciate your offer, but I have decided to explore other opportunities. Please let me know if anything else comes up.

All the best,
Hazel Browne

4. I Have Decided to Go in a Different Direction

You may decline a rental offer after accepting with “I have decided to go in a different direction.”

It shows you originally accepted an offer but have since gone back on it.

Sometimes, these things happen. You might not have complete control over the situation when it does. So, it’s okay to inform a landlord that you’re backing out.

You should use this to remain civil and honest. It’s great because it lets a landlord know that you’ve chosen something else instead of their original offer.

You can also review this example:

Dear Matilde,

I have decided to go in a different direction. I appreciate that this complicates things for you, but I hope you can understand.

Kind regards,
Joe Tate

5. It’s a Nice Offer, but I’ve Found a Place That Better Suits My Needs

Starting any rejection with “it’s a nice offer” works well. It’s polite and friendly, so it should take the thing out of the rest of your words when they follow.

After that, write “but I’ve found a place that better suits my needs.” It’s an honest phrase showing you how to decline a lease renewal or rental offer.

Generally, when you enter the rental market, you’re looking for a place that suits you. Sometimes, that means you’ll have to reject an offer because the place isn’t quite right.

You can also review this sample email:

Dear Mr. Woodchurch,

It’s a nice offer, but I’ve found a place that better suits my needs. I hope you find someone else quickly.

My best,
George Riding

6. I Have Decided to Continue My Search for a Rental Property

Feel free to try “I have decided to continue my search for a rental property.” It’s a great way to reject a landlord when they’ve offered you their property for rent.

We recommend using this when you want to explore other options. After all, you won’t know what else is out there unless you’re willing to look around and see what people can offer you.

This is a great way to keep things honest and open with a landlord. It can also encourage them to keep you in mind if they have any other properties available in the future.

This email sample should also help you:

Dear Patrick,

I have decided to continue my search for a rental property. I’m afraid this property simply can’t offer what I’m looking for.

Yours,
Holly Adrian

7. I’m Afraid I’d Like to Explore Other Rental Options

Landlords need to be kept in the loop. It’s important to share your decisions with them early, even if that means rejecting their rental proposal.

Try “I’m afraid I’d like to explore other rental options” to do this. It shows you’re keen to explore alternatives and no longer want to accept an offer.

Don’t worry; it’s still polite. It simply allows you to respectfully refuse an offer.

The following email example can also clear things up for you:

Dear Miss Paulson,

I’m afraid I’d like to explore other rental options. I hope you don’t mind me giving you such short notice on this.

Yours,
Thomas Cochrane

8. I’ve Decided to Pass on This Opportunity, but I Appreciate Your Consideration

“I’ve decided to pass on this opportunity” is a great way to start a rejection letter. From there, you can write “but I appreciate your consideration.”

This phrase is, on the whole, very formal and polite. It shows you’re happy to be considered for a rental property, but you have to refuse the offer.

It’s a great way to remain as polite as you can with a landlord. It will also let them know they’re able to start looking for other tenants who may be interested.

The following example will help you if you’re still unsure:

Dear Ms. Coughlan,

I’ve decided to pass on this opportunity, but I appreciate your consideration. Let me know if anything else comes up.

Best regards,
Sam Ritchie

9. Unfortunately, I Cannot Accept This Offer From You

Whenever you start a statement with “unfortunately,” it usually means bad news will follow.

In this case, you can continue it with “I cannot accept this offer from you.” It shows you have to decline a rental offer, even if it was a really good one.

You do not have to go into specific details. This phrase is good enough and allows you to remain respectful during your rejection.

Of course, it’s up to you to decide whether you’d like to explain your reasons. However, there is nothing saying you have to tell a landlord why you didn’t accept their proposal.

Here’s a great email example to help you understand it better:

Dear Mr. Parks,

Unfortunately, I cannot accept this offer from you. However, I want you to know that I’m incredibly grateful for it.

All the best,
Hubert Washington

10. I’m Afraid I Will Have to Decline Your Offer

Finally, you can say “I’m afraid I will have to decline your offer.” It’s polite and respectful, making it an excellent choice when you’re trying to stay friends with a landlord.

After all, you never know when you might need a landlord’s help again. It’s best to know how to politely turn down a rental offer without burning bridges, just in case!

That’s why this phrase works so well. It allows you to retain a friendly relationship while initially rejecting an offer.

Here’s a letter sample to show you how to use it:

Dear Ms. Bridges,

I’m afraid I will have to decline your offer. However, I hope we can work together in the future to find a rental property that works.

All the best,
Dexter Dominics