My lease states 12 months and then goes on to define the time frame as being from November 5, 2005 to November 30, 2006. I recently received a renewal letter which stated that my lease ends on October 31, 2006.

So, according to the signed lease ... when does the lease end ... the end of October or the end of November?

It makes a bit of a difference to me because the rent is going up and we're in the process of buying a house, but I'm still four months away from making this happen. One additional month with my current lease may make three months at the month-to-month renewal rate more attractive.

Also, they are giving us one months' rental consignment ... but I called today as a new client and they offered me two months' rental consingment on an identical unit if I signed within 30 days. I understand they can offer whatever terms they want to whomever they want ... and the terms don't have to be identical, etc. But, for obvious reasons, I want the best renewal terms I can get. They have had no problems with me and my rent has always been paid on time, including once when I paid two weeks early because I was going on vacation over the 1st of the month.

So, what would be the best approach to negotiate the two months' consignment for renewal over a 6 month term?