As someone who has rented from Chinese landlords at multiple locations as whose father owns property (not Chinese), I don't buy this.
Prompt/early payment aside, I have not experienced this and I've done a lot more apt maintenance than not call about toilets or lightbulbs. First of all, as mentioned in another comment, in both the case of my landlords and my father's business:
>they have full-time maintenance person anyway, so there's no feedback loop.
Unless you're a royal pain in the ass, I doubt they'll raise rent more than they do for anyone else. Otherwise, the delta convenience/hassle isn't enough for them notice or care to give you a deal.
edit:
Anecdotally, if you happen to be renting a house from a small property owner who does not have a maintenance worker, then perhaps this may work (not me personally, but a friend). That said, you still probably want to find a place with a proper building manager.
Prompt/early payment aside, I have not experienced this and I've done a lot more apt maintenance than not call about toilets or lightbulbs. First of all, as mentioned in another comment, in both the case of my landlords and my father's business:
>they have full-time maintenance person anyway, so there's no feedback loop.
Unless you're a royal pain in the ass, I doubt they'll raise rent more than they do for anyone else. Otherwise, the delta convenience/hassle isn't enough for them notice or care to give you a deal.
edit: Anecdotally, if you happen to be renting a house from a small property owner who does not have a maintenance worker, then perhaps this may work (not me personally, but a friend). That said, you still probably want to find a place with a proper building manager.