Well boo hiss and all that. A space had opened up in the only garage space available at my apartment building so I contacted management about renting it. They said fine but the rent is triple what we charged the previous tenant. It would've been nice to shelter my vehicle from the winter snow but not at the rate they want to charge me.

I'd try keeping the door open and reply "If you decide to rent this at a reasonable rate I'll be interested"

I knew the rate would be higher but not that much. Oh well, I'm used to the snow so it's no big deal but would've been far more convenient.

They might already consider that a reasonable rate. It was just via text so hard to just how they feel about that. The person I was texting with didn't determine the rate anyway so hard to tell.

I know it's a great rate ... if I lived in a bigger metro area. Not that great a rate for here.

then just change the pronoun to "If they decide to rent this at a reasonable rate". or tell your contact how much you are willing to pay?

Rather than referring to rates as reasonable or unreasonable, which is subjective (and might make them defensive and less inclined to contact you), you can also just say, "If you don't end up with any takers, and the asking price is reduced, can I be contacted?"

(Though chances are good that if you don't move on it, they will have a taker, perhaps someone who wasn't aware of the old price.)

Lette : That's the route I'm taking. Better them getting something rather than 0 if there are no takers.

I don't need it but it'd be very helpful once we get some snowfall.

MacLooming: Good idea but that might be overreacting a teensy-tiny bit.