10% is the number that immediately popped into my mind.

10% is what I have done numerous times with my own rental props.

One month free at a minimum. It may need to just be written up as a 10 or 15% reduction of the monthly rent though. 

Looking at it from the landlord's or lister's view, I'd wonder why they want to pay it all upfront.  If it's because they're high risk, no discount or maybe pass on them altogether.

10% seems very fair.

10% is the number that sounds good and fair ... might even equal a full months rent -- ?

I would try for 10%

Survey Says: 10%. Kevin J. May  At least that what the majority of AR responders suggest. That, of course, is more than a month of free rent. (12 months in a year X 10%  = 1.2 months.) Taking a year's rent up front does not mean that a landlord will or should surrender any other rights...such as periodic inspections or, at least, contact. I doubt that you would take a discounted rent for a year and then ignore the tenant for 12 months.

I have investor clients who have given a 10% discount for full year's payment up front or one month's rent free.

10-15% 

Sometimes it is more. At least in our area. 

If it isn't at least 10%, probably not worth doing. 

10-15% sounds good.

I would pass.  Typically when this is asked for they have low credit score or other issues that they think this is a viable option for the landlord.  What happens after the first year.  Best to move along with another tenant. 

Generally, I've heard about 10%  

None, I don't do it, even when offered.

Pacific Heights comes to mind.

I didn't have a clue but thought 10% sounded good and it seems others think so too!

We give a 5% discount to our renters, primarily students, who pay 6 months to a year ahead.

ZERO

One month - Sounds better for the tenant than 10% but, to the landlord, it's more money in their pocket!

Say rent is $1,000/month X 12 = $12,000.

10% is $1,200 vs 1 month at $1,000.

Zero? Is this a trick math question? I'm a little 'light' in that dept.

I'm with Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA on this one.  Paying up front in CA is usally a red flag of a tenant to avoid.  I've turned people down because of this.

I once had a tenant propose that to a landlord - the landlord credited him 1 month.

People suggest it until they do not have $120,000 cash +10,000 deposit=$132,000...

Talk is cheap.... 

That is against the law in Connecticut.

None.

I don't think that's allowed in MA... 

I don't do rentals, so busy reading comments.

No discount. 

None, in my view.  i would keep in an escrow account and take the monthly rent as it comes in.

You are still getting the same income as you would have over the course of a year. You have security of getting the rent paid, but if you are asking a fair market rate, no need to come down on the price. 

I have not seen any discount. What I've seen is tenant paying the entire year upfront to compete with other strong applicants. 

5-10% though we don't offer either on our rental properties.

10-15%.  Probably 10% is fine.  A lot of online places offer 15% for annual payment (e.g. email/CRM programs, web tools).

As a landlord, I take off 10%. 

Depends.

I agree with Kathleen Daniels.

NONE.

The only time I have been offered a years rent up front is when the potential tenant has some risk or something else going on that did not make them an "A" rated tenant.

What happens the next year?

All my tenants stay for more than a year and I am too picky and never desperate to take the bait.

Eve

I try to get away with 5 with my tenants but some i go to 10%,

Maybe, a month, Kevin J. May. 

No discount in my previous managment practice, it was a requirement for people with crappy credit though.

Maybe one month free.  Amounts to about an 8-9% discount.

I would not give one.  I still have bills that are not discounted

Why discount? The owner gets it any which way. 

I have never encountered this with any of my tenants but would probably offer a free month. 

Interesting... 

I've never had a tenant ask this - I would probably give 1 month

Interesting answers. I have not faced issue.

  One month "free" rent.

I have seen a landlord deny any discount; stating the reason the tenant has to pay upfront is because of poor history or risk.  One landlord stated that if there were not any issues after tenant departure, he would credit them back.  He did have issues...lol

One month

Whatever you can negotiate for yourself.  "Fair" is a place where you can play games and ride a roller coaster.  The landlord may welcome it and be in need, therefore offering a larger discount than expected or have reason to want the income more evenly distributed and not want a windfall.  

Kevin, 

It is up to you and whatever laws govern this in your state. A

10%

The bigger question is why?  Red flag alert in my world. 

I represented a landlord and a tenant made an offer to pay the entire first year up front at 5% off the list price. That worked.