Your landlord has to provide you with notice in writing of where your deposit is being held within 30 days of moving in. If they don't do this, they lose the right to the security deposit and you can write them a letter - certified mail - asking them to use it towards the rent. They are required by law to do this - no questions asked and they cannot ask for another deposit for as long as you live in the apartment.

If you don't want to go this road and get your deposit back, when you leave - they should inspect as you are moving out. If they don't, take photos and send along with a letter - again via certified mail - that you left the place in broom clean condition. Have a friend witness and sign a letter stating the same.

if she uses any of the money to "fix" the place - she has to provide an itemized list plus receipts of what she did and why and if she can't prove you did the damage - she has to pay it back - DOUBLE.

I have a booklet with this info I ordered from the NJ housing authority and sent copies of the pages with the sections highlighted when I've left places that gave me a hard time about my deposit. I always get it back in full.