When it comes to resolving landlord or roommate disputes, knowing the laws in your area is absolutely vital, but what most people don’t realize is that laws concerning renter’s rights vary widely from place to place and from state to state. If you have recently moved to a new area and are thinking about renting an apartment, there are a few necessary things you should do to update yourself on the laws and rules in your area.

Your first stop should be online. The internet age has ushered in a slew of consumer protection websites that can assist you in leaning what the laws are in your new state as far as renting goes. Most major cities have renter’s rights groups that have their own website, and sometimes they even have a free 1-800 number you can call to learn about specific problems you are experiencing. Bookmark any sites you find like this for your area since you never know when you might need them in the future.

If you can’t find any up to date websites in your area that have this information, check out your copy of the Yellow Pages. They often have lists of non profit groups in your area that might be of use to you.

Finally, if all else fails, contact a lawyer in your new state, and they will likely point you in the general direction. The electronic age has afforded us significant leaps in communication so don’t get caught flat footed if you need to know your rental rights in your new state.

If you are thinking about moving into a new apartment, but you can’t afford the rent by yourself, you are likely considering getting a roommate. In most cases, roommates are a welcome addition to a household since they not only pay half the bills, but they usually help with cleaning and even cooking, but sometimes, conflicts arise and living with a roommate can be a hellish experience. One way that most people try to mitigate that problem is by choosing to live with someone they already know. Most times, choosing a roommate from someone you already know works better, but it can also be a friendship ender. Let’s look at both sides of the coin.

The main advantages of choosing a roommate from someone you know is that you know right off the bat that you will be compatible with that person. You likely already know that you both enjoy the same kind of music and the same kind of movies or television shows. You may already know if your friend is a night person or a morning person so there may be one less conflict in that department. In essence, choosing a roommate from someone you know is “going with the devil you know instead of the devil you don’t.”

On the flip side, you may realize that your friend isn’t all he or she is cracked up to be. They may end up having a whole host of annoying habits you don’t know about and you can see your friendship declining rapidly. It is a risk that many people take, and sometimes, it proves to be a big mistake.