For example, if the previous last month's rent was $1,000 and the new rent is $1,100, you would request an additional $100 to cover the increase.Update the Agreement: Ensure that the lease renewal includes a clause that reflects the new last month's rent amount.Refund and Repay:Refund the Previous Deposit: You can return the last month's rent from the previous lease to the tenant.Collect New Last Month's Rent: Then, collect the new last month's rent at the increased rate as part of the lease renewal process.Steps to Take:Review Your Lease Agreement: Check the current lease agreement to see if there are any specific clauses regarding the adjustment of last month's rent upon renewal.Communicate with Your Tenant: Inform your tenant about the rent increase and how it affects the last month's rent.

I understand that because the cash flow will be delayed for 1-2 years, I am technically paying such good price for the apartment, therefore I would like to collect more opinions on this type of investment.

I use Buildium and QuickBooks - Buildium for tenant placement, screening, rent collection, etc. and QuickBooks for finances. 

I rented to him and have zero issues collecting rent.

While a flip is more intense, owning a rental is NOT just sitting back and collecting money.  

They collect rent and you have to chase them for it, and I think they have a ring of deadbeat tenants that go from one house to the other, and pay a security deposit and nothing more

Deegan and @Arda Bircan There are technically 7 Tests for Material Participation (but 3 that are most common) -> the individual 500 hour mark, that the activity of the individual is substantially all, and that the individual participates more than 100 hours + no-one else spends more time than them.Litmus Test: Are your hours integral to the operationsThe hours that qualify must be substantially all hours and have a legitimate impact on the rental activities.Activities that generally count: showing the property for rent, taking tenant applications & screening tenants, preparing & negotiating leases, cleaning & preparing the units for rent, repairs, and improvements, managing the construction, purchasing supplies & materials, inspecting the property, responding to tenant complaints & inquiries, collecting & depositing rents, evicting tenants, writing & placing advertisements, and working on your websiteActivities that don't count: education & research, investor-type activities, and travel time..

Unit AppealAmenities and Upgrades: Although you have renovated the units, consider adding amenities like high-speed internet, in-unit laundry, or community spaces that can increase appeal.Feedback Collection: Gather feedback from current and past tenants about what they liked and disliked about living in your units.

You might find out you would collect more money with a PM than you do managing yourself.

Send them notice of balance due, file collections, and sue them in small claims court.