do you raise the rent every year?

[Heather U.]

My tenant, who has been with me for a year, has been great and would like to stay.  My property manager emailed and said he recommends a modest increase in rent. She pays $1150 and would now pay $1175. I was thinking give her one more year at same rate but this is my first renewal so I have no idea.  Is there a standard way people usually handle this? 

[Russell Brazil]

I never raise the rent on existing tenants. People do stupid things over small amounts of money. I dont want to give my tenants a reason to try to look for other housing. I keep the rent flat, and end up with an average tenancy of about 3 years.