Thanks to a serious increase in building codes across the country, the modern apartment is one of the safest dwellings one can live in. Since the average apartment building is constantly being inspected and looked at by the owners and maintenance people that work there, any problems that come up are usually dealt with quickly, but sometimes, there are health risks we may not think of that could be affecting all of us.

One of the most common health problems in any building is bugs. While most of us look at insect infestations as simply a bothersome and disgusting annoyance, it can actually be a health hazard if the infestation is too large. There are many illnesses associated with bugs that can be traced to living among large amounts of droppings or from gases released by termites, so if you find an insect infestation in your apartment, report it to management as soon as possible. If immediate action is not taken, contact your local renter’s rights group to see what your options are.

Another sneaky health problem that affects many modern day apartments is mold and mildew. While you may be responsible and neat, there is no telling what your neighbors are doing on the other side of that wall. If you see signs of mildew or mold in your bathroom or in another part of your apartment, make sure you tell someone right away, because, often times, what you see is only the tip of the iceberg. There are many health concerns associated with mold and mildew, so don’t hesitate to contact your landlord.

Often times, when we hear about renter-landlord conflicts, most of us assume that the problem was with the landlord and that the renter was, for the most part, innocent. However, most landlords only have problems with problem tenants, so here are a few things you can do to help keep your landlord a happy person.

First and foremost, try to never be late on rent. Remember, your landlord is just like you. He or she is trying to make a living off of an investment, and it only causes problems when that investment doesn’t come through on time. The best way you can stay on good terms with your landlord is by paying rent on time, every time.

One of the biggest sources of conflict between renter and landlord is when the tenant requests something to be fixed and that request goes unheeded for weeks on end. We assume that the landlord isn’t doing his or her job because they are cheap or because they don’t want to invest the time, but that isn’t always the case. It could be a simple matter of priorities where there are other issues that need attention before yours. By automatically jumping to conclusions, you aren’t giving your landlord the benefit of the doubt.

Finally, calling your landlord ahead of time and asking about any changes you want to make in the apartment can go a long way in staying on their good side. Even if the lease says you can paint the walls, a polite, courtesy phone call to let your landlord know is always in good taste.

In far too many cases of landlord-renter conflict, the first weapon that many renters use is withholding rent as a way to get leverage. Unfortunately, withholding rent should only be used as an absolute last resort and is often times a lease breaker if the renter uses it in the wrong situation. One of the biggest reasons why renters and landlords argue is over fixing things in the apartment or arguing about who’s job it is to fix things. If the bathroom tap drips or if your windows need to be cleaned, this can be a frustrating and tedious battle to wage, but they aren’t grounds for withholding rent. The only time you can really get away with withholding rent is if your apartment has become unlivable due to things like pest infestation, lack of heat in the wintertime, lack of water or other catastrophic issues like this. The rules when it comes to renters rights vary from state to state so make sure you have a clear understanding of when it is OK to withhold rent where you live. If you end up having to go to court or go in front of an arbitrator and they find out you withheld rent for a less than major reason, you can expect to lose your case hands down.

While renters and landlords often times fight about almost everything, the single biggest issue of contention is money. Everything from raising the rent too much for a new lease to keeping a deposit that they shouldn’t, landlords and renters fight about money more than any other issue. What can you do to protect yourself if you’re having a money dispute with your landlord? The key is education. You can start by learning the laws in your state. Laws pertaining to landlord-renter issues can vary GREATLY from state to state, so just because you know how things work back home doesn’t mean that any of that applies where you are now. Some states have separate courts that use arbitrators to settle landlord-renters disputes. In this case, you’ll need as much evidence as possible that you are on the right side of your money dispute. If you’re expecting your deposit back and you don’t get it, take pictures and bring witnesses that show that damage to your apartment was there before you lived there. There are also very specific rules on how much rent can be raised at a time, so if your landlord is trying to jack up what you pay, a simple knowledge of the current law can be enough to win that argument with ease.

If you’ve found yourself knee deep in a landlord dispute, finding out what your rights are can be one of the hardest parts of the battle. Some states and provinces have government run facilities that are dedicated to renter’s rights. They issue yearly booklets that spell out exactly what your rights are in that particular state and they give you phone numbers you can call to find out more, and how to take your landlord to court if you feel you have a good enough case. States that lack this sort of renter’s rights bureau often times have websites that will clearly outline what your rights are and what you should do in particular situations. Sometimes, it is up to an individual to start these sites if the state hasn’t yet. But it is important to remember, if a site isn’t officially run by the state, the information may be out of date or flat out wrong. A good alternative is to seek out the help of a lawyer. Most big city law firms offer free consultations, or ones that are very affordable. Even if you end up not hiring the lawyer, the advice you get can be worth its weight in gold. The Internet is a great place to start your search. Remember, most states favor renters over landlords in most disputes, you have the advantage.

When it comes to renting an apartment, you basically have two choices. You can rent from a corporate-run building that has a lease that resembles a small dictionary, or you can rent from an individual who draws up something that looks kinda legal but you really don’t know for sure. Most people prefer to go with the first option, since they automatically believe that their rights will be protected and that there is less chance of someone trying to pull a fast one if you sign a more official looking lease. While others prefer the working relationship between two people and feel that any problems can be reasonably worked out. Both choices have their potential pitfalls. Often times, people don’t bother reading the mammoth corporate lease they sign and sometimes there can be surprises in store. Rules vary from state to state on how late rent can be paid before fees are charged and one building may include the power bill in rent and others don’t. Make sure you have a full understanding of what your lease says before you sign it. When you rent from an individual, the main problems come from situations that aren’t spelled out in the lease. The landlord thinks its your problem and you think it’s the landlord’s. Just know that no matter what type of lease you sign, no renter/landlord relationship is conflict proof.

When you find yourself mired in a landlord dispute, it can be one of the most isolating experiences you ever go through. It can feel like you are fighting this battle by yourself, and if your landlord has gone through disputes before, chances are, they know their way around the law and the rules better than you do. Is there anyone out there that can help? In most cases, the answer is yes. Most major cities have groups that can help and advise renters on what their rights are, how legal your lease is, and what to do if you’re facing eviction. The problem is that the rules and your rights as a renter vary from state to state, and if you’re in Canada, from province to province. You may know the rules backwards and forwards in your home state and, chances are, none of that applies to where you are now. A simple Google search for “renters rights “state”, will help to steer you in the right direction. Also, don’t be afraid to contact a lawyer if you want. Most lawyers give free consultations, so even if you’re tight on money, you can get a professional opinion. The internet is also a fantastic resource that you can use to discover what your rights are, and what your current legal standing is.

Before rening an apartment, make sure you don’t take issues for granted. In almost all cases, unless your landlord is a particular kind of crook, landlord issues start with a simple miscommunication. People sign a lease thinking that certain issues are covered, and they aren’t. This isn’t a big surprise, really. Most people only give a cursorily read of their lease before they sign it. This is especially true if you’re renting from a major corporate apartment rental company that has a very official and legal looking lease. They can’t really slip anything outrageous in there because they rent to too many people who know the law. The problem, in most cases, comes up when you rent from an individual who draws up their own, and probably not even legal, lease. An individual with no law training doesn’t know to put everything under the sun in a lease. I once signed a lease that was a single page and was made on Microsoft Word. And guess what? It turned into the worst landlord/renter relationship I ever had. Common disputes come up over utility bills, who is responsible for fixing things, the amount of notice that has to be given to move out and a hundred other things. The only thing a renter can do to protect themselves is to make a comprehensive list of questions to ask and GET THE ANSWERS IN WRITING! You have to protect yourself, no one is going to do it for you.