negotiating a new lease -- best way?

[mschilton]

Our 2yr lease is up at the end of June, and our LL has sent us a renewal offer with a modest decline in our rent. We know rents have come down since we signed two yrs ago (likely the top of the market) and believe the LL's offer is a little too light.

Question #1: can anyone suggest good sources where we might be able to find data on the city's vacancy rates, rental rates, etc?

Questions #2: best advice for approaching this so that both we and the LL end up in win/win situation, and when should we put forth our counter-offer?

Suggestions welcome.