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Once you have settled on a place, there are some important issues you need to handle.
Security Deposit
Your landlord will ask for a security deposit, which cannot be any more than half a month's rent. You have to pay the security deposit within 30 days of moving in or you can be evicted. The security deposit is your pledge that you won't damage the premises. It should be returned in full when you leave, as long as the place is in the same condition as it was when you first rented it. To get your security deposit back, you must be considered a tenant; that is, you have to have a legal agreement with the landlord. If you just have an agreement with a roommate but not with the landlord, you may not be able to get your money back.
Lease
If the landlord asks you to sign a lease, read carefully before signing. A lease is also known as a "fixed-term tenancy," and is an agreement to rent a place for a certain length of time, usually for one year. Ask questions before you sign.
Inspect the Place Once You Move in
As soon as you move in, go through every room and note any damage that is already there so you are not blamed. The best thing to do is walk through all the rooms with your landlord and make a list of things such as stains on carpets and counters, holes in the walls, water damage, cracked windows and patches of paint missing. Include your name and address on the list, sign it and have your landlord do the same. Then make a photocopy of the list for your landlord and keep the original for your records.
When you move into your new place, you may need to arrange for a number of household utilities.
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