For many University students, getting a first apartment or house is an important step toward adulthood. But signing a lease can be intimidating, and there are many things students should know before they sign.

Here are some steps to take:

Visit the apartment or house. Do not take someone else’s word that it is amazing. This may seem obvious, but some people have been misled by well intentioned friends.

When choosing the location of your new residence, make sure you consider transportation. An apartment may seem great, but if there are no buses and it’s out of walking distance, driving every day can get expensive.

There are different kinds of leases, which have different implications for the renter. A month-to-month lease is not as permanent and allows more flexibility. One drawback to a month-to-month lease is that it may allow the landlord to change the rent cost at random.

A tenant lease is for a longer time period, and rent is a set amount. If the renter moves out before the lease is up, the landlord can charge the renter the total rent for the remaining months of the lease.

It is important to know the landlord’s eviction policy before signing the lease.

Be sure to know on what grounds you can be evicted and how much warning the landlord has to give before you must vacate the apartment or house.

Almost all landlords will require a security deposit – money that the landlord will hold until your lease is up – before you sign the lease. If there is no damage beyond normal wear and tear to the residence, you will get the deposit back.

You may be charged for damages such as holes in the walls or broken blinds and windows. Before you sign the lease, look around the house or apartment for any existing damage. Take pictures of the damage to make sure you won’t be charged at the end of your lease for scratches or dents you didn’t cause.

Before you sign the lease, the landlord should walk through the apartment or house with you and do a checklist of all damages. Make sure you keep this checklist along with the pictures.

Be clear with your landlord about the circumstances under which they can enter your residence. Signing a lease that allows unrestricted entry to your apartment may permit violations to your privacy.

If you are able, have a lawyer look over the lease before you sign it. Moving out of the dorms or your parent’s house is exciting, and taking these precautions before signing a lease will make sure that the process goes smoothly.