re: Renting an apartment w/o a lease?

If you don't sign a lease, a month-to-month is presumed, effective as of the date on the first rent check written. It's not that you don't have rights if there's no written lease, it's just that you get the standard lease agreement rights.

It's also true that most leases are have clauses written in favor of the landlord. As long as you're aware he can boot you with 30 days notice, don't worry about a lease.