By Matt Grossman 



  Equity Residential said Monday that demand for its apartments is recovering, but rent levels and trends are less strong to date in the second quarter of the year than they were earlier in 2020. 


  The Chicago-based real estate investment trust said interest in apartment leasing, as measured by tours to prospective renters, is now in line with last year's levels. 


  Rent levels for new leases are 4.8% lower in the second quarter to date compared with previous leases. In the first quarter, rents for new leases were down 0.7%. 


  For renewals, rents have increased 1.5% to date in the second quarter, down from a renewal-rate increase of 4.2% in the first quarter. 


  The company said residential cash collections remain strong and  occupancy is 94.9% in the second quarter to date. 


  Equity Residential's portfolio includes 305 properties with nearly 79,000 apartments in cities such as Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C. 


  Write to Matt Grossman at matt.grossman@wsj.com