> How would you, as a tenant, present that option in a way that doesn’t just sound like blackmail? If you don't want to sound like you're blackmailing [0] some

> How would you, as a tenant, present that option in a way that doesn’t just sound like blackmail? If you don't want to sound like you're blackmailing [0] someone, don't blackmail them? Walking away is a real option for the tenant here. But you can still be polite about the whole thing. You can blackmail someone and still have everyone be friends afterwards. Just make it clear it isn't personal, you like the landlord as a person, think they're fantastic [1], and that they're going to have to give you money for you to go away because the vicissitudes of fate have placed them over a barrel. They get karmic points and a good story for their next cocktail party. [0] I was surprised to learn that blackmail might indeed be the correct word. I thought it would be technically wrong but it seems to work. I'd use extortion if I wasn't prompted though. [1] Lie if required.