Conversation goes like this:
Them: Your renewal is up, if you sign up for a year we'll give you 1.5 months free. The base rate went up $100 / month, but with the 1.5 free you'll be paying less than you were.
Renter: Your current promotion on Craigslist/for new renters is for 3 free months, can I get that?
Them: No, that's for new people
Renter: Ok, I'll just do a short term lease while I look for a new place
Them: There is a $200 / month surcharge for month to month and the base rental is $50 more per month than what I told you a few minutes ago. And anything in the range of 2-6 months has a $175 surcharge.
On a side note, while touring thier other property in Braintree, Lenox Farms, as a potential, I found out that the Ridge at Blue Hills is a dumping ground for the Section 8's from Lenow Farms. While touring the property I asked the staff what % was Section 8 (low income housing) and they said "Oh, we met our quota here by increasing the Section 8 at The Ridge". Given that Lenox Farms is a larger property and has 0 Section 8's, have fun with the neighbors at Ridge at Blue Hill.