A lot of rehabbers skimp on the expensive capex items.  

We were under the impression we should have received both an itemized list of deductions and the remainder of our security deposit by October 31st (assuming that October 10th was the 1st full day after vacating).

t=2974i wish i had a good answer. my last tenant that left trashed my rental. i didn't check in on them and they apparently made extra income by dog sitting. my doors/walls/floors were torn up. funtimes.one thing to do is add a line item in the lease agreement that you will do quarterly inspections of the inside of property, and point this out to them before they sign the agreement.

I would recommend getting the items fixed (they sound like small handyman fixes from the post but without seeing them I am guessing). 

Then I work backwards from there with major items such as roof and hvac.

What this did was allow for my contractor to not charge me for this items in his scope of work.

Lastly, and probably the most important item is going through the Condo Docs and operating budgets and all that.  

Just because you provide a stove and refrigerator does not mean you are required to maintain and/or replace those items.

On the loan I am referring to today, the home had been significantly renovated and there were items the appraiser noted that had to be fixed prior to settlement.

You could also donate charitable deductions.