When renting an apartment, condo or house there are a few precautions you need to take to protect yourself. Here's a tip for you that may prevent an ugly unwelcome surprise.

Before you sign that lease ask the property manager if you can inspect the unit and could he or she accompany you on your inspecton. Explain that the purpose of the inspection was to make sure that there was no prior damage or defects to the unit.

Most people know that the property manager will inspect the property after you've terminated the lease and move out. Then they will deduct from your security deposit any damage to the walls, appliances, etc. that they believe is attributable to you. You want to make sure that there is a written description of any damage or deficiencies before you move in so that the landlord won't deduct the cost of repair from your security deposit.