1. Make sure you have a lease, and that the terms of that lease are fair and legal, before you move into a new place.

2. Always have written documentation for every agreement between yourself and your landlord, and always keep copies for yourself.

3. Take pictures of the place when you move in, send copies to your landlord, and take pictures when you move out. Make sure you fill out a condition of the premises form, keep a copy, and give a copy to your landlord.

4. Always get receipts when you pay rent.

5. Make sure you get a copy of all rules and regulations regarding your mobile home court, apartment building, or rental from your landlord before, or soon after, you move in.

6. Whenever you communicate with your landlord, do so by certified mail.

7. Know that tenants may NEVER withhold rent to induce the landlord to perform repairs. If rent is withheld, your rental agreement can be terminated and the landlord can legally sue you for three times your monthly rent, regardless of whether repairs were made or not.

8. Your landlord cannot enter the premises without giving you a reasonable 24-hour notice (except in emergencies).

9. When you move out, your landlord MUST send you an itemized list of deductions from your security deposit within 30 days. If your landlord does not send you this list within 30 days, they must return your security deposit in its entirety.

10. You can ALWAYS fight an eviction notice, if you feel you've been treated unfairly.