Robert Irwin, author of The Landlord's Troubleshooter, published by Dearborn, offers some helpful hints: "It is absolutely necessary that you use precise language to describe any exceptions to 'clean and undamaged' that you write down. For example, there may be a mark in a wall caused by previous tenant having hit it with a dresser while moving out. If you write down, 'back wall of bedroom is marked,' you could be in for real trouble. When this tenant moves out, that wall could be covered from floor to ceiling with marks and when you protest, tenant will point to walk-through saying, 'See, you wrote down that wall was marked!'"

In many cases, you can insist that landlord make repair before you move in, especially if it is likely to get worse, or put you or others at risk. If you do this before you sign lease you will avoid future misunderstandings.

Your landlord could be friendliest person in world and turn into a pit bull when it comes time to return your security deposit. So, make sure there isn't a fine print clause in your rental contract that allows landlord to keep some of your deposit for "cleaning." Again, before you sign lease, ask landlord to define conditions in writing under which you would get or not get your deposit back.

Also, when your lease is up, plan to have landlord walk through apartment with you again. Compare apartment to pictures taken before and make sure you both agree on everything.

Understanding what you need to do in order to earn your deposit back will go a long way toward parting company with your landlord on good terms, with your security deposit safely back in your pocket.

dan the roommate man

ABUSE OF SECTION 8

Unfortunately this program is frequently abused. This program is very much needed for families who cannot afford a place to live. The abuse comes in when families or individuals hide their assets and income from agency in order to qualify for program. The limited funds that HUD has then goes to people who are capable of paying for their own rent and many who are in desperate need remain on agency waiting list. HUD is constantly policing this situation but there will always be those who will abuse system at expense of innocent.

dan the roommate man