This week readers visited Brick Underground to read about how private equity-backed firms are changing rental markets in New York and other cities around the U.S. by buying up rental buildings, raising rents, and flipping the properties.

Also of interest: Did your landlord send you a lease renewal with a rent increase? Check out our updated list of ways to negotiate against a rent hike.

Here are this week's top five posts:

1) Hit with 30 percent (or higher) rent increases, many NYC tenants are in 'shock'

2) Private equity: The biggest NYC landlord you never heard of that’s raising rents

3) 8 ways to negotiate your rent when renewing your lease

4) I got a big rent increase with my lease renewal. Can I negotiate?

5) 5 houses for sale in Peekskill, NY, where you can get a deal