(b) shut off any of your utilities, change locks on your apartment or threaten any of these acts in order to make you move out of your apartment.

(c) enter your apartment without consulting you or repeatedly demand to enter. In most leases there is a clause stating that landlord must give you reasonable notice before entering. Typically, leases will state that your landlord must give you at least twenty-four hours notice before entering. Also, if your landlord is constantly entering your apartment - whether he or she gives notice or not - you don't have to withstand it. You should consult your local tenant's union.

(d) refuse to rent a unit to you due to your race, sex, religion, age, previous condition of servitude, physical limitation, national origin or sexual preference. If your landlord has done any of these things, you have been discriminated against and may be able to take case to court.

Regardless of whether or not you're behind on your rent, your landlord still has no right to do any of things mentioned in “must not” list. If your landlord does any of these things, you should consult an attorney. In some cases such as forced entry or theft, landlord should be reported to police as well.

*A-F are enforced by Implied Law of Habitability.

Generally, you don't have to repaint your walls unless you changed paint color while you lived in your apartment, and your lease stipulates that you restore wall color to its original condition before you leave. If you rented your apartment from a management company, inquire if they have a mover's checklist to help you inspect your unit before moving out. You may even request an informal inspection from a leasing agent or landlord after you clean unit. At that time, inspector can inform you if you've missed any spots and help you prevent any deductions to your deposit.

If you've caused damage to your apartment during time you've lived there, you're going to face either a considerable deduction from your deposit, or you may not receive any of your deposit back. If landlord or management company decides cost of damage exceeds amount of your deposit, it's within his/her/their rights to sue you for difference. Owning up to damage and paying for it immediately is best way to avoid major headaches -- not to mention a "black mark" on your renter's record.

Some reckless renters who know they've caused considerable damage to their homes and know that dollar amount will exceed their deposits have elected to hit road suddenly and without warning. While some tenants may have gotten away with it, many haven't. And consequences of such actions -- including real possibility of a lawsuit filed from your former landlord/management company to gain compensation of rent they lost when you fled, plus compensation for damages, is far more expensive than accepting responsibility for damage you caused. Accidents and even occasional bouts of stupidity happen. Owning up to these incidents will pave a smooth path to your next home. Believe it or not, management companies and landlords do call on a prospective tenant's former management company/landlord. Moving is hassle enough. In renters' world, those tried-and-true rules you learned as a kid apply: Clean up after yourself, take responsibility for your actions, and you'll be well-received. Mom always did know best, didn't she?