Graduating from dorm life to apartment living is as important to some college students as aceing that Russian literature final. Some go directly from home into apartments, finding their freedom early. As the biggest moving day of the year nears, all need to heed these pointers on renting in Boston, to know their rights, protect their interests, and make sure life in the Big City is an A plus experience.

Lease Language
It's a good idea to read every word of a lease before signing it, whether the agreement runs two pages or ten. According to Philip Lapatin, general counsel to the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, it's the landlord who should be most concerned about the language of the lease.

"The tenant is protected by certain rights that can't be taken away by anyone . . . regardless of if he knows it or not," said Lapatin. In Massachusetts, the wordy contracts are meant to protect the landlord. To receive full protection under the law, landlords should use proper up-to-date forms, and they should be very specific about what is and isn't allowed on their property. If something is not included in the lease, then it is considered permissible.

"Like with subletting," said Lapatin. "Unless there's something prohibiting it, the tenant has the right to do it."

Co-Signing
When Terry McMahon co-signed the lease for his daughter's apartment this fall, he wasn't too concerned about it. He trusts his daughter, Teresa, now a senior at The Art Institute of Boston. "It might get pretty dirty, but as long as she doesn't damage the apartment, I'm fine with whatever," said McMahon. McMahon's laissez-faire attitude isn't uncommon, according to Mary Hooper, property manager of The Greenhouse Apartments in Boston.

"Some [parents] definitely want to check out and see where their children are living," she said. "But once the kids have rented the apartment. . . they're pretty much out of it at that point." Like Hooper, most landlords and property managers require each member of student-households to have co-signatories on the lease. That way they're sure to get rent checks each month, regardless of the students' financial situation. Often the check comes directly from the students' parents. Anyone who is a U.S. citizen with a valid social security number is eligible to co-sign a lease. They are subject to the same credit and background checks as the lessees.

Finder's Fees
Finder's fees collected by realtors who help you land an apartment depend a great deal on the economy and housing availability.

In a strong market, at least half of a real estate agent's finder's fee -- if not all of it -- is paid by the tenant. In a weaker market, the landlord will often split the cost with the tenant. The amount collected by the realtor is typically equal to one month's rent.

Of course, the fees can be avoided altogether by dealing directly with a landlord or property manager, but Tim Baker of Cambridge, says he doesn't mind paying them.

"Theoretically, that's actually a tip you give to the realtor for finding you a really nice place," said Baker, who moved to Boston five years ago. "When the rental market is tight, you don't want to restrict your search any more than necessary. And if you're going to be staying somewhere more than a year, that five or six hundred extra dollars may actually be worth it."

Cleanliness
If you move into an apartment with grimy kitchen counters and dust-bunnies rolling rampant through the hallways, don't expect your landlord to pick up the housekeeping tab.

According to Lapatin, "There is no standard as to how much dirt can be on the floor."

Every apartment should, however, meet state code. This means that all facilities must be in "good repair" and in "sanitary condition."

"If the tenant before you left a half-eaten sandwich on the countertop, obviously that's not sanitary and has to be taken care of," said Lapatin. An inch of dust on the built-in bookshelf, or a smelly refrigerator, however, are fair game.

There are several items that the apartment must, by state law, contain, including a private toilet, a sink large enough to wash dishes, a bathtub or a shower, light fixtures, and adequate heat and water pressure.

An oven and a stove must also be provided, unless it is specifically stated in the lease that these amenities are not included.

In addition, there must be at least 150 square feet for the first occupant and 100 square feet for each additional occupant.

Security Deposits
A security deposit is collected by landlords from their tenants to pay for potential property damage. In Massachusetts, the deposit -- minus any money taken out for property damage -- is to be returned to the tenant when he vacates the premises.

Some tenants, however, have found that their landlords may hedge a bit on what exactly constitutes reasonable wear-and-tear.

Students can be especially vulnerable to the landlord's whim when it comes to security deposits, not only because they're young and often unaware of their rights, but also because, at the end of the year, they may not have the time to haggle with their landlords.

Landlords are required to provide receipts upon receiving security desposits. Within thirty days of depositing the money, they must notify tenants, in writing, of the name and location of the bank where the security deposit is being held, the account number, and the amount of money. If the landlord does not do this, he can be required to return the deposit in full.

Some landlords may not ask for a deposit at all.

"It's a very soft market right now. You probably try to make it as simple for someone to get into the apartment as you can," said Peter Nassif, a broker and manager with Liberty Real Estate in Brookline and Brighton. "The less money [tenants] have to come up with, the more likely they are to take the place."