There's no reason for you and your landlord to butt heads. But if something goes wrong, you should be familiar with the laws that govern your tenancy -- they can make your life a lot easier and help you come out on top financially.

It's important to know your rights before you make any adjustments to your living situation:

• Making repairs. Your landlord has to keep your residence habitable, or livable, but cosmetic repairs aren't required by law. So don't be surprised if your request for a new carpet or new fixtures falls on deaf ears. Of course, if you have a good relationship with your landlord, or you can show a reason why the repair you want would be a good investment, you might get lucky.
  
• Moving early. If you want to move out before your lease expires, you are likely to be legally responsible for the rent that's due. But you might not have to pay too much for breaking the contract, especially if you live in an area with high demand and the landlord can find a new tenant easily. That's especially true if you can identify someone who's interested in the space.

True or false? Your landlord is legally obligated to keep the property habitable, and to keep it looking good. True False