Insist on your walkthrough with your landlord prior to moving in. Take pictures of any damages that you see and be sure that they are time-stamped and dated to keep in your personal rental agreement file. Read through your rental agreement prior to signing it. Catalog dates, communications with your landlord, wait times and quality of any and all repairs/damages occurring while living in your apartment. Ask of your landlord the expectations as to what is required in order to receive your deposit back at the end of your rental agreement.