Article: Different landlords and property managers may have different expectations for their tenants. Most leases require their tenants to leave rental units clean and undamaged beyond "ordinary wear and tear." While "ordinary wear and tear" can be hard to define, it generally refers to damage that occurs as a result of regular use of a space or appliance, as opposed to damage that results from carelessness, neglect, or intentional abuse. Depending on local landlord-tenant polity, your landlord or property manager may or may not want you to repair minor damage to the property, such as nail holes or chipped paint. Make note of any areas that particularly need to be cleaned, such as smudged or stained walls, dirty cabinets, dirty pet areas, and grimy or mildewed kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Make a list of any notable damage to your unit, such as holes in the screens, missing or damaged blinds, scratches or gouges in the hardwood floors, chipped paint, or marks on the walls that cannot be easily cleaned off. Check your light fixtures, smoke detectors, fridge, stove, and any other appliances that belong to the property in order to make sure that they are working and in good condition. This way you can avoid any unpleasant surprises during the move-out inspection. In general, it is the responsibility of the landlord or property manager to make major repairs or replace broken appliances. However, it is the tenant's responsibility to inform the landlord of these problems as they occur.

What is a summary?
Review the move-out policy in your lease. Examine your apartment for dirt. Examine your apartment for damage. Make sure your appliances are functioning properly. Talk to your landlord about any damage or problems you find.