Most deposit disputes come down to cleaning, not damage. The good news is that landlords and property managers check the same places on nearly every walkthrough, so a focused checklist goes a long way.
In the kitchen: inside the oven, inside and behind the refrigerator, inside every cabinet and drawer, the range hood filter, and the sink and faucet. Grease on cabinet fronts is one of the most common deductions.
In the bathrooms: soap scum and hard-water spots on glass, grout lines, behind the toilet, inside the vanity, and the exhaust fan cover. Mirrors and fixtures should be streak-free.
Everywhere else: baseboards, window sills and tracks, light switches, door frames, closet shelves, and floors edge to edge. Take photos when you're done. And if you'd rather spend moving week packing, a professional move-out clean covers every item on this list.