One of the myths about renting is that you’re stuck and completely at the mercy of a landlord. Many potential renters may be surprised to learn that the myths of apartment living or the bad experiences of a few don’t apply for the vast majority of landlords and apartment buildings.

Tenants have more rights and privileges than they realize. Here are some rights and trends in apartment living that you may find surprising:

You Can Decorate Your Apartment

Landlords are primarily worried about damage to their apartment buildings and extra work for themselves. If you can alleviate a landlord’s fear by promising to return the apartment to its original condition, especially if you’re painting walls or hanging shelves, a landlord may be willing to work with you. It may be especially helpful to offer to hire a contractor of your own if the landlord is not happy with your repair work.

You Can Upgrade Your Apartment

Landlords want happy tenants, but they have to manage their expenses carefully. If you’re unhappy with an appliance in your apartment, many landlords will be willing to work with you about finding a replacement. If you aren’t happy with the way your dishes look after running the dishwasher, offer to find a used dishwasher and help your landlord install it. Many landlords are happy to provide materials if you provide the labor.

A life crisis doesn't usually come with a warning signal. Tragedy and unexpected problems can strike suddenly, and therefore it's important to have a strong network of friends around for the times when life is hard. Whether you're in the midst of a short term crisis such as an operation or working through a long term struggle such as a divorce, the investments you make into relationships with neighbors will pay off for the long term.

Emotional Support

Sometimes you just need someone to talk to when life is hard, and that's when it helps to have a friend living down the hall who listens when it matters most. An unsettling phone call or a rough day at work can leave you feeling frustrated or hurt, and it's important to have friends around who help you carry that weight and work through it.

Whether you’ve had enough of living at home or you’ve moved out of the dorms and into an apartment building near campus, you’ll have your hands full finding furnishings for your apartment. Even if you think a window treatment is something you receive on a spa day, there are some simple ways you can decorate and furnish your apartment so that it’s functional and feels like home without having to clean out your checking account.

Where to Find What You Need

While Freecycle is a great place to begin a search for furniture, you’ll get what you pay for, which means a free couch or table may look a bit rough. The best furniture for the money can usually be found at yard sales and through websites such as Craig’s List.

However, if you’re a member of a Swapaholics Group in your apartment building, you may be able to find neighbors looking to get rid of furniture or who may be willing to help you find what you need.