As a landlord I’m receptive to giving the “6th month free” with a one year lease “if payments are on time”. If the fair rent is $1975 I would be against taking less because it lowers my base at lease renewal. Vacancy is the killer, a smart landlord should be willing to give up a month to get a good tenant.
Getting a year’s rent up front would be real nice, but I’ve never been offered that.