The bottom line is that I'm giving up $20-$30 per month in rent during a renewal of lease, but in return, I'm keeping better tenants, plus my marketing/advertising costs are less due to the referrals, my vacancy costs (lost rent when trying to find a new tenant, which could be 1-2 month of no rental income) are less, my turnover costs when tenants move out (painting, cleaning, advertising, showing of apts, utility bills) are less .... so when you factor in everything, I actually net more money per unit than a landlord that raises their rent on their good tenants....if you want to be a good landlord, figure out ways to differentiate yourself, just don't follow the pack because everyone else does it.  

Your number will be very different I bet.

Do you have any ideas why Chicago would be different? Is

When the things sail smooth, these little words does not sound differentiating much, but in the difficult times like this, stops that extra nerve from bleeding.At least one third of the businesses will not survive post COVID and being a small business we have to adopt to terms and renegotiate rather rigid .Koppula, CPA   

People will  assume apartments/condos include trash, water and sewer the differentiator is heat/electric.

However, in my reading and podcast listening I learned about at @Brian Garrett mentioned, Portfolio lenders.These folks keep their loans in house and do not sell them to uncle sam, therefore their qualifications are a little different. I

It gets more difficult in closer quarters, but can be a way to differentiate yourself.  

Plus, everyone prefers to use something different. I

What is the temperature differential between the cold air return, and the vents?

I got awards etc…This is different. I