Parking: You might not always catch that prime parking space, and depending on where your apartment complex is, this could mean parking on street. If you're living in arts district in Downtown Dallas, you might need to feed parking meter monster or pay for a secured parking lot. Keep this in mind when you yearn for that artsy loft.

Some states put a limit on deposits a landlord can ask for. For example, in California deposits cannot add up to more than two-month's rent. Check out landlord/tenant laws to get scoop on your state's restrictions.

Regardless of how many of deposits and fees landlord asks you for, make sure these are all outlined in lease. If they are not, make a list of all of charges, when they were paid, then date it and have landlord sign it with you. Keep one copy of this list and give one to your landlord to avoid any problems in future.

5. Common misunderstanding: If tenant has been trying to move out but can't find a new place, eviction hearing judge will not make tenant get out.

Truth: Inability to find a new place is not a legal defense, and judge will order you to get out -- even if it means that you and your children will become homeless.

6. Common misunderstanding: If tenant goes to eviction hearing, judge will automatically give tenant more time to move.

Truth: Sometimes, if there is a really sad situation (a health problem, young children), judge may ask landlord to give tenant extra time. Rarely, judge may require landlord to give extra time. Often, judge will not require any extra time, in part because judge knows that landlord still has to wait another 3 days

7. Common misunderstanding: If tenant gets or gives a 30 day eviction notice, tenant does not have to pay rent during 30 day period.

Truth: The tenant's rent obligation continues for every day tenant is in rental unit, through 30 day period, even though landlord (or tenant) has given a termination of tenancy notice. It is understandable that tenant may need rent money, in order to move to a new place. But if tenant does not pay rent as it comes due, then landlord can give tenant a 72 hour nonpayment of rent notice and evict tenant, long before 30 day period runs out.

8. Common misunderstanding: The landlord may make you pay any unpaid rent at an eviction hearing (an FED).

Truth: The only things a landlord can get at an FED are: 1) a judge's order (called a judgment) that tenant must get out at a certain day and time, and 2) a judge's order that tenant pay landlord for landlord's court costs, prevailing party fee, and attorney fees (if any). If landlord wants to make tenant pay any unpaid rent, landlord will have to sue tenant in a separate lawsuit, often in Small Claims Court, for a judgment for rent money. (Legal Aid has other handouts which explain how landlord must go about collecting judgment from tenant).