If you are one of the many individuals not quite yet ready or willing to enter the home-ownership arena, renting can be a sensible, affordable option. But just because your commitment is for perhaps only 6 months to a year, there are still a number of things you should do to protect yourself and make sure the terms of the agreement between you and your landlord are clear. Here are some tips to follow to ensure your experience is a positive one:

Do a thorough review of the lease agreement. If you aren’t comfortable reading the fine print, hire or entrust a qualified individual to do so. Pay special attention to restrictions that might be unacceptable to you particularly associated with pets, visitors and guests, storage of personal property or other miscellaneous items.

Be thorough, organized and prepared. When applying for a rental contract, offer up references, employment information, and a recent credit report.  Doing this even prior to the landlord making any specific requests will certainly make an impression that you are a responsible potential tenant.

Do a thorough initial walk-through. In order to ensure you have the best chance of obtaining a refund of your security deposit, carefully inspect the premises (with your landlord present) while you fill out your move-in checklist. Make sure your rental agreement is clear on the use and refund of security deposits, including allowable deductions.

Communicate in writing. This will ensure you have records of your agreements, requests, (or grievances) in the event you have a future disagreement. Keep copies of any correspondence and document any verbal agreements in writing as follow-up as well.

Evaluate the safety of the home and surrounding area. Do your own research regarding crime statistics in the area, while also asking the landlord relevant questions such as whether the property has ever been involved in criminal activity. Are there safety devices protecting the doors or windows? If a crime is highly likely, your landlord may be obligated to take some steps to protect you.

Obtain renters’ insurance. This is a relatively inexpensive guarantee against loss due to theft or damage, as the landlord’s policy does not cover your personal property. A standard policy may cost you $25-$30 a month.

Understand and protect your right to privacy. A common issue between landlord/tenant involves the right of a landlord to enter their property versus the tenant’s right to privacy. Know your rights as the amount of notice prior to entry will vary by state.

Finally, if you involved in an eviction action, be informed about your rights (as well as the landlord’s). Fight the eviction only if you have proof that the landlord is clearly in the wrong; an eviction lawsuit can result in thousands of dollars of debt as well as credit damage, just to name a few unsavory facts.

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