UTICA - Renters beware! How often do you hear about a friend not getting their security deposit back from a landlord? Or maybe your monthly rent payment was raised. One local attorney wants people to know their options when signing a lease.

"The best thing to do is have a written agreement, even if you have a month to month tenancy, you can still have a written agreement as to what the terms are," says attorney Mark Wolber.

Words to live by. Wolber says there are three things to be aware of before renting. One of those is what it means to have a month to month agreement. If you decide to leave, the law says you have one month's notice not 30 days like many people think.

"If as a tenant you gave your notice June 1st or June 30th, you have to pay the July rent. if you give your notice July 1st, you have to pay the August rent," Wolber says.

The same goes for the landlord if he or she wants to evict you. The majority of cases in small claims court, according to Wolber, are security deposit cases.

"You should inspect the apartment. If there are items of damage that exist when you move in you should note those on a list. Ask the landlord to sign acknowledging those are in existence at the time you start your lease," he says.

"Taking pictures is a great idea as well, specifically of the damage that exists before you move in. Finally, beware when signing a lease with friends.

"If you sign a lease even though there are four of you, everyone who signs that lease is obligated to pay the full amount, not just a quarter unless your lease specifies otherwise," says Wolber.