In an effort to prevent landlords from taking advantages of tenants, some states even have laws that grant you triple your deposit if he refuses to return it. In Michigan for example (where I had my run in with a slum lord) the deposit is supposed to be in a seperate account in both our names. During your final walk through, the landlord is supposed to have the initial walkthrough for you both to review.

My landlord did not do an initial walk through period, let alone one that was signed by both of us. This prevented her from claiming any damages except for the final water bill that came in her name that was in the lease that we were responsible for.

There was an aluminum storm door damaged by the city while plowing the alley next to the house. (Which she claimed was worth $300) I notified her immediately when it happened. She instructed me to notify the city, which I did, but the city stated that the owner of the property had to submit the claim; which I relayed back to her. She did nothing, but tried to charge me for the door. I was trying frantically to prove that I called the city when my friend from the housing office told me that I didn't have to worry about it, she did not have an initial walk through and she kicked me out of the final walk through. Either one alone prevented her from claiming damages.

Contact the housing office in your city or county, they should have a pamphlet printed about your rights and obligations as a tenant and his rights and responsibilities as a land lord. I was lucky that I had a friend in the housing office and that she was being investigated already by the city for slum lord practices. She called and instructed me not to allow the city inspector into the house I was in.

I don't know how long you've lived at this address, but the longer you occupied the dwelling the more "normal wear and tear" you are allowed.