My rent went up 4.5% this year (for ’08 period). It is a lease, not a month to month. I generally try to talk them down. Last year I was able to avoid the increase for that year (’07). My 06 was a 7% increase. Be polite and back up your contentions as to why the rent should not be increased. Being a good renter is nice, but so is being flexible on moving and willing to do it(Having a 1 ton 4×4 pickup as one of my vehicles sort of makes it easy to move.). The rents are going up due to foreclosures forcing people back to renting while the bank sits on the inventory. I think the banks are hoping that keeping the inventory tied up shifts the rent-buy breakpoint.

Compare your rent to equivalents in the area. If equivalents are lower, might as well move. See if you can negotiate a cut or first month off on move in deal..