Dealing with an unscrupulous landlord can be extremely stressful, and it doesn’t take much for a minor confrontation to escalate into an expensive legal battle. That is why you must understand all of your legal rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Here is a quick look at four steps that you can take to safeguard yourself against an aggressive or dishonest landlord.

Buy Renters Insurance

Renters insurance isn’t a legal requirement in most states, but that type of coverage can be invaluable. Your landlord most likely has some type of insurance for their property, but that policy won’t cover your personal belongings. With renters insurance, your possessions will be covered in the event of a fire or burglary. You can also expand your coverage to include natural disasters like floods and mudslides.

Keep up with Your Maintenance

Renters must follow very specific regulations when it comes to maintaining a residence. Before you sign the rental agreement, you should carefully read every line so that you know exactly what you are responsible for. Basic maintenance is almost always the landlord’s responsibility, but you might have to change out water filters or replace light bulbs as they go out. Some landlords add specific maintenance projects to their lease agreements simply because they don’t want to deal with those tasks.

Document Everything

As a renter, you should get into the habit of documenting everything. Before you move into the home or apartment, you must take pictures of every room from multiple angles. You also need to document any existing damage that was already there when you moved in. Whenever your landlord contacts you, you need to save a copy of the interactions as well. Old text messages, emails, and voice messages can be invaluable if your landlord every tries to take you to court.

Consult with an Attorney

If your landlord seems to be breaking a law, then you should immediately contact a civil litigation lawyer. One of those attorneys can help you file and pursue a non-criminal lawsuit. They can also act as an intermediary between you and your landlord. After you hire an attorney, you won’t have to worry about threatening phone calls or letters.

You should always try to steer clear of dishonest landlords, but some people have no choice. The best way to protect yourself from a shady landlord is to carefully study all of your state’s rules and regulations regarding rental units.

Author Info: Rachelle Wilber is a freelance writer living in the San Diego, California area. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She tries to find an interest in all topics and themes, which prompts her writing. When she isn’t on her porch writing in the sun, you can find her shopping, at the beach, or at the gym. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @RachelleWilber.