Hello again,
I have had and continue to pay "preferential rent". The new rent described on my lease renewal is still labeled as such, however, the monetary amount equates to just over 15 percent of the rent I paid last year (that's quite a hike which doesnt seem quite right, even if the increase *was* based on the legal rent, it still doesn't even out). I've attempted to contact my landlord for the past week to no avail.
I can;t help but feel that this was affected by my recent complaints to the landlord about a leaky mold infested closet!