Get everything in writing is an excellent recommendation. I always warn tenants of making verbal agreements with landlord. 
You haven’t mentioned the renters insurance. And that policy is very important. The homeowners insurance won’t cover all of your possessions in the case of a natural disaster, the renters does. 
Besides, renters insurance doesn’t cost must. It cost depends on the type of coverage the policy has. This article https://rentberry.com/blog/tenants-insurance-guide describes all types of coverage that insurance may have.