* Ask landlord how many vacant units are in building.

* Bring a competitors ad with you when you view apartment.

* Ask for a “move-in special” if building is ne or under construction.

* Ask for a two or three year lease (if you need a longer than a typical one year lease) with current rate locked in for duration of entire lease. Be careful of this. Some two year leases can come up for an increase at end of first year.

1. Talk to your roomie-to-be before starting application process. Find out if there's anything in your future roommate's rental history that would throw a wrench into getting approval for both of you.

2. Tell landlord or property manager exactly how many people will be living in property. Each of you will have to fill out a rental application.

3. Make sure each of you has all your rental history information together. This includes previous addresses, as well as phone numbers of previous landlords.