"actual" rent (apartment, lease, landlord)

[Wevi]

What does it mean when an ad gives a list price of $1600 but an "actual rent" of 1200? (Ad also says lease comes with rider.)
Many thanks!!!!

[Green Irish Eyes]

Perhaps you're getting a month free? That means you'd take the monthly rent x 11 months, but divide it by 12 for an "actual rent."

[ddhboy]

The months that your getting for free minus the normal cost of rent for the first year. The funny thing is that the free rent on these deals are usually applied to the end of your lease, so its more likely that you'd get the free month the second year your living there.

[Henna]

I think all the above is incorrect in this case ( this is my opinion, an educated guess). the use of the term rider leads me to believe it's a rent stablized apartment with a preferential rent. You can read this to learn about preferential rents NYC Rent Guidelines Board
but basically what I think it means is that even though your lease is at $1200 when you first sign it, when the lease comes up for renewal in one or two years, the landlord has the right to change your rent amount to the legal amount, which is $1600.

[Cida]

I agree that the probability is that it's a preferential rent. But ASK. It's not unusual to have riders. Just call and ask what the rider specifies.