No return of deposit Maryland

[bren31]

What is the name of your state? MD
I moved out February 29th 2008 i had given my landlord 30 days notice, i lived in the property for 2 years. After 45 days i never received a reason why he did not return my deposit. I sent the landlord a letter stating since it has been 45 days i would like my security deposit back with 3 percent simple interest. Well the day i received my return slip on my letter, I received his letter. ( his letter was mailed the next day that my letter arrived). On his letter head he dated it april 14 th which was before the 45 days were to be up.

In his letter he had pictures of a major stain which was about 3 inchies by 4 inches. The other was a minor stain about the size of a quarter. He had a bill for 600 dollars for the 52 sq ft of carpet. He had explained the carpet was brand new the carpet he replaced mine with was a lot nicer than what we had. He also explained that the toilet seat was broken and the medicine cabinet had a burn hole in it. He charged me 119 dollars for a brand new medicine cabinet. I looked at 119 dollar medicine cabinets and that was not what was in my apartment. He also explained that i owed for 6 months water bill but i have the canceled check for it. He said i owed him 148 dollars and he expects a check for that amount. Finally in his letter he says they had to do extra cleaning and there were no dents he also put no money value at that.

I know i will end up having to sue him between him asking for 148 dollars on top of what they kept out of our deposit. (they did not give us interest on our money for the 2 years there) and the fact it seems they upgraded the items.

According to the pictures I believe those 2 places were damaged. How would you proceed with the next step? Can they upgrade damaged items and pass it on to me because i ended up damaging them.

PS i had asked several times to the landlord why my electric bill was so high. He never did anything can i introduce them. The bill for 2 weeks for 180 dollars. My new town home for the whole month was 80 dollars.

We moved into that apartment to save money or the past 2 years we were there we ended up paying for more for the apartment than what we paid on a larger apartment closer to work the utilities ate up every bit of savings from the rent. I am nothing but pissed off and this seems to never end. Is there any other suggestions people can give. thanks in advance.