Landlord or slumlord? Checking them out before you write a check

Spend a year in many university dorms and you may be dying to move off campus into a house with more space, fewer rules and roommates that you get to pick. But before you sign a semester- or year-long lease on a place and hand over a chunk of change for the security deposit, check a few things to make sure you're not getting into a bad deal.

Unfortunately, there are no end of less-than-scrupulous landlords who keep their properties in poor condition and are happy to rent to college students because they know that most students won't complain -- or are afraid to do so. Steer clear and your first renting experience will be a lot more fun.