[tedmiston]

In college as an RA, I did detailed room audits before/after people moved in/out.

The best thing you can do before moving any of your stuff in is document any defects in detail (every single apartment has them).

The best thing you can do before finalizing moving out is to take photographs of how you left the place for evidence.

Ideally you have before/after photos to demonstrate things that may have been defective before you moved it but that you may be (mistakenly) charged for. Most people don't do this and have little recourse when the bill shows up.