Unlike the games that preceed The Sims 2: Apartment Life, this game has introduced apartment living. Basically you live in a big building with four apartment units. You can make a maximum ten-piece (8 sim/2 pet) famly, and move them into an apartment. The remaining three apartments will automatically fill up with NPCs or townies.
When you move in, the landlord will greet you. He/she will set up a few general guidlines. You'll be told that you must pay the rent every Monday. (When you rent the apartment for the first time, you cover yourself for the first week right away because you start on a Monday.) Anyway, the landlord will also say that you can call them if you have any problems. A "problem" is considered: broken appliances or electronics, roaches, or clogged up toilets.