[mironathetin]

"Considering you and the landlord have opposite goals..."

They don't. Both want long term stability although some owners don't know that this is what they want :o). Landlords who try to maximise the rent face quick change of tenants (who don't stop looking for affordable places) and less care for their property. The price and stress overhead of finding new tenants is not worth the gain, in my experience. Not to forget, that real estate dealers often try to take money from both sides.