Required Payment

A landlord can only require you to pay the following things upon moving in:

• first month's rent
• last month's rent
• a security deposit of up to one month's rent
• the cost of buying and installing a new lock

If the landlord requires you to give a deposit to hold the apartment, that money should be put towards the total amount required. And again, make sure that you get a signed and dated receipt for any money that you give the landlord.

Statement of condition

• If you pay a security deposit, the landlord must give you a written statement of condition within 10 days of receiving the money. This statement must list all damages that exist in the apartment and in all common areas prior to your moving in.
• Once you receive this statement, you have 15 days to either agree with the conditions, or write up your own list of damages and return it to your landlord with your signature on it.
• Take this seriously. Check over the apartment carefully and document everything.
• If you fail to return the statement within 15 days, then you are agreeing with the landlord's statement and could be held responsible for damages that occurred before you moved in.
• If the landlord does not give you a statement of condition, then you should write one yourself, sign and date it and give a copy to your landlord.
• This process will help in protecting you later in getting your security deposit back.