Whats the point of charging "Net Effective Rent"

[Colin M.]

Hi there!

I live in NYC, our landlord and thus lease charges $2500 per month for our rent. However we only pay $2300 per month. On our lease it shows $2500 with a $200 monthly credit.... Or as they call it - our 'net effective rent'.

I understand for the purpose of when we leave that they can show the next tenant that "we were paying $2500".. But aside from this, why would a landlord do this? Are there tax benefits or something that they are trying to show they are keeping up with market rents! 

I imagine that if they file their taxes showing our income was $2500 on paper, but we only paid them $2300 - they claim it as a loss? Or am i reading it totally wrong?