Carefully inspect the rental unit before you decide to rent. Make sure it's been taken care of properly. Use a inventory checklist and keep it as an inspection guide. When you inspect the rental unit, look for the following problems:
Cracks in the floor or walls
Signs of leaking or water damage
Signs of rust in water from taps
Lack of hot water
Defective heating or air conditioning
Improper ventilation and lighting
Damaged flooring
Damage to furnishings, if it's a furnished rental unit
Take photographs of any damage, if possible. Also, ask the landlord who will be responsible for paying utilities (i.e., gas, electric, water, and trash collection). You will probably be responsible for some, and possibly all, of these payments. If the rental unit is a house or duplex with a yard, you need to know if you will be responsible for taking care of the yard. If so, ask whether the landlord will supply necessary tools, like a hose and a lawnmower.
During your initial walk-through of the rental unit, you will have the chance to see how your potential landlord reacts to any concerns you may have about it. At the same time, the landlord will be learning how you handle potential problems. While you may not be able to reach agreement on every point (or on any!), how the two of you get along will help both you and the landlord decide on whether you become the tenant.
