Just be smart about moving into a place. Take pictures when you move in and right before you go to drop off the keys the day you move out. If there is nothing that requires repair and the pictures show it, then tell them you have pictures and you expect your full deposit. If you don't get it, small claims court is cheap and you don't need a lawyer. Also, when you take the pictures the day you leave, do it with a disposable camera (film) and include a picture of a newspaper with the current date at the beginning and end of the roll. This is inexpensive and gives you something to show a judge. If a landlord knows you have that, they will probably not want to hassle going to court with you.
I give this thread a 9.6.
Thank god for the disable signatures option.
