Tenants

       If you are applying for an apartment for rent, be prepared. Try to get background information about your landlord for example by searching internet. In addition to a photo id (such as drivers's licence), a copy of credit history, references from employers or  previous landlords may be helpful in being accepted.        Carefully read the lease terms to make sure everything is acceptable. For example pet policy, guests, hours you need to reduce volume of music, security deposit etc. All important agreements and correspondence should be in writing. This will help avoid future disagreements and legal battles. Your apartment should be a livable place. Your landlord is required to provide electric, water, heat make repairs when needed (who pays for them should be in the lease) etc. Know your rights.  Make your communication with landlord transparent.  If there is a problem and your landlord is delaying his job, try to resolve informally first.
        Tenants have some privacy rights. Landlord has to give a prior notice before entering tenant's apartment usually at least 24 hours before doing so.
        Buy renter's insurance. Your landlord's insurance probably won't cover your losses. It costs about $300-400 a year and may cover things like theft, damage caused by natural disasters or other people.
         If your neighborhood is not safe, learn from local laws what your rihts are and what your landlord is required to do.
         Your landlord can't evict you without a cause, and even if there is a reasonable cause (not paying the rent, or damaging property), he needs to terminate the lease by giving a prior  notice and if you don't he needs a court decisioon to move you out.
          Many landlords are willing to keep more money out of security deposit than
the money time & spend on cleaning, repairing the unit and making it ready for the next person to live in that unit. To avoid this, inspect the apartment with landlord or manager together and make a note of eveything missing, needing repair or cleaning,.. together, and make sure lease agreement is clear about deposit  refund policy. Taking pictures may be a good idea.