DH and I are paying $500 below market value for the rent on this apartment, all because we religiously pay our rent on time and don't wreck the unit, so our landlords love us. Who'da thunk it was that easy to become a tenant all-star?
We live in a 10 unit building, in the most recently renovated unit. It's gorgeous, hardwood floors and a great kitchen, with lots of windows looking out at leafy trees. Other equivalent apartments in the area are going for $1400-$1600/mo, but after not raising the rent a penny in 3 years, our landlords finally raised the rent by just 2%, and explicitly told us they hope to have us in the unit for as long as possible and that's why they are keeping our rent so low.
The other 2 br apartment in our building, that is much less nice than ours (not updated, no view), was advertised a month ago for $450 MORE than we are paying.
Every month when our rent check is sent off I feel like the richest person in the world :)