Look for available homes
A great source for renting information is the internet.  Most every publication that you could find that lists apartments and homes for rent are on the internet as well.  Private classified services such as Craigslist.com are great resources as well if you are looking for individual units.

Be prepared
If you come to meet the landlord be prepared with all of the necessary paperwork the landlord may require.  This may include a written reference statement from your current landlord and employer, and make sure your employer states your current income level, a completed rental application and a current copy of your credit report.

Inspect the home and neighborhood
Do a visual inspection of the home and the surrounding area.  Your right to a refund of your security deposit will depend on the condition you leave the home when you move out.  Make sure that you take note of any areas of the home that may be damaged or worn, and bring it to the landlord’s attention.  You may also want to photograph any area that may be of particular concern.

Review the lease
After agreeing on the payment make sure you actually read the lease.  Do not just sign it.  Under most states' laws renters who break a lease are still liable for rent.  Make sure there are no provisions in the lease that are unacceptable such as provisions on pets, guests, parking or interior alteration to the home.

Get everything in writing
The basic rule of thumb is to request a copy of everything that your landlord has you sign.  This includes the lease, separate security deposit documents and background check authorizations.

Know your rights about repairs
Every state has laws that require landlords to keep their units livable.  This means the unit must have heat, running water, electricity and provide proper security.  Know what your state and county specifically require and insist that your landlord make any necessary repairs.

Purchase renter’s insurance
Some landlords may require this upon moving in.  If your landlord does not you should consider it.  Your landlord likely has homeowner’s insurance but their policy may not cover your personal belongings due to a break in or damage due to fire, flood or storms.

Know your rights about retaliatory evictions
It is illegal in every state for a landlord to threaten to evict or cancel the lease of a tenant who has filed a complaint with the landlord or with a government agency about the landlord.  In most states, if a landlord threatens a retaliatory action within 6 months of the complaint being filed it is deemed to be an illegal retaliatory eviction.

Collect your security deposit
Every state requires a landlord to give written notice to a tenant why all or a portion of their security deposit is being withheld.  The time period for most states will vary between two weeks and one month upon the tenant’s vacating the unit.  If the landlord does not send written notice in the required time period generally the entire security deposit must be refunded.