The suction cup mat can work well but you must make sure they are firmly suctioned to the bottom of the tub before you get in or it is like a banana peel. Kind of a pain attaching and re-attaching every time the shower is used. Have you considered a non-stick spray product? I have never used them but it sounds more convenient.

The non-slip spray works well for several months. Simply refresh it when it loses tackiness.

Just as important, does your new apartment have safety grab bars?

No grab bars.

No grab bars. Is the Apartment new or old? Most newer apartments meet ADA safety requirements. Regardless, grab bars should be a priority in every bathroom, young or old.

You can order grab bars from Amazon that simply screw onto the side of the bathtub. We got one and it works well.

I bought a suctioned shower mat for my new shower this spring. It works great. I didn't realize it was so slippery when I first used it ( the old one was textured)and I was afraid to move!! No grab bars in it and three walls of glass. I could just see myself plunging through the glass. It should be against the law to sell showers and tubs that are not slip proof.

It's not always simple. Grab bars MUST be fastened to a wooden stud to prevent pulling out fasteners when putting it to emergency use.

I have grab bars. They each have strong 4" diameter suction cups. I'll try and find a link. I love them. I also use a shower chair.

Bed, Bath & Beyond has a great mat that is weighted - no suction cups.

Dollar Tree had some the other day when I was in. It was suction cups. You can try one out , see if you like it.

I like the suction cup ones that have a textured surface. I also have grab bars but they are the ones that are fastened to the studs. I'm a great believer in grab bars!

The suction cup grab bars can not be depended on. Mine gave way just as I was putting weight on it. I don't like bath mats, mold and mildew are a few reasons why. I agree on the spray on products. They work well. I think I would ask for a grab bar to be installed into a stud by the manager. For their safety as well as yours.

SlipDoctors Non Slip Resistant Spray for Fiberglass, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KA6ZHI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rHsZBb18XHF6F

She's a renter in an apartment. Spraying something on the tub bottom, or putting holes in the tile, might result in her being charged for replacing the tub and a new tile job. Not very practical advice.

I can imagine that a suction cup grab bar can't be relied on. The suction cup mats work fine, so long as the tub surface is wetted first. As said before, they are prone to mold and mildew but they're inexpensive and can be tossed and replaced for not too much cost.

I always found the bath mats annoying. Even hanging them after each use, bleaching was required routinely. The spray is something I would look into.... thanks, Raven.

As for grab bars, I would not trust suction ones. I would go for ones that are connected to studs.

Which is why I said to be installed by the Manager.

I never cared for the mats, when I rented, I used the no slip treads which can be removed with a little goo be gone when you move.

https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Slip-Tape-Textured-Resistant-Application/dp/B01LWO7JLC/ref=sr_1_2?s=bedbath&ie=UTF8&qid=1540209238&sr=1-2&keywords=non+slip+treads+for+bath

Any decent apartment manager will go along with reasonable safety improvements to protect the health and welfare of a tenant. Especially when done at the expense of the tenant, supervised by management, completed by a professional.

1. Non-slip spray is invisible and does no harm to a tub. No harm, ever. Applied non slip treads are harmless to a tub surface. Harmless!

2. Grab bars protect a tenant from severe injury and possible death. What apartment manager would be foolish enough to deny such an improvement? Take action now instead of after a slip and fall. Be responsible for your safety.

We use a suction mat in the tub that is slippery. After a bad experience, I will only buy high quality, name brand mats. We had the "banana peel" experience with a cheaper one. The one we have now is a long Rubbermaid one and has held up great.

If you buy a bath mat, be sure and buy it somewhere that you can return if you don't like it. We bought a Rubbermaid mat that was so slippery, that it slipped out from under us. We then bought this no suction cup type of mat from BBB and it's great on our tub which isn't super slippery but slippery enough to need a mat. But still, whatever you buy, be sure and hang on to the receipt in case it doesn't work and use caution when you first step on it to make sure that it's staying put!

We buy our bath mats from Walmart, Rubbermaid with suction cups, about $15. It works better than cheaper ones we've tried.

We asked our landlords if they would install a grab bar when we moved in and they gladly did. When they did ours, they also did the other 2 apartments. It comes in handy, both for hanging onto, and for drying items.

Some non-stick coatings must be better than others. Mom got her tub done when they built the house (the builder did it) and the tub always looked dirty. It drove her crazy.

We asked our landlords if they would install a grab bar when we moved in
and they gladly did. When they did ours, they also did the other 2
apartments.

Good for you! Any sensible, fair minded, professional landlord/manager will fulfill the reasonable requests of tenants.

Have nothing to lose by asking the apartment manager about the possibility of installing a grab bar. the worst he can do is say no. Who knows, just might do it.