If my apt. complex has been offering rent to new tenants for MUCH less than what I have been paying for the last 6 years, don't they have to offer me the same deal as they have to others? I have neighbors in identical apts. That are paying $200/mo less than I am... my lease comes due at the end of Feb and they are telling me that it's going to go up $9, rather than down.

Nope, nothing against it.

By the way, how do you know they are paying less? If you can prove it then negotiate for a lower rent. I think they will prefer to lower your rent rather then get a new, unknown tenant.

I have had a lot of friends move in recently, as well as over the last year. Also, I called to find out what the rent is for the same apt. I am in.

OK, It probably just means the market is somewhat depressed so they need to lower their rents. But that doesn't mean they are doing anything wrong by maintaining the same rent. They probably don't know you know what you do. So confront them with it and try to negotiate. However, the only bargaining chip you have is to move.

They do not have to offer it to you.

If you have a lease, you can ask, but they don't have to.

You can ask again when your lease renews

My lease expires in Feb and it is scheduled to go up again, not down. Is there something I can do to fight that?

I told you twice that you can try negotiating a new lease.