Deposit issue with tenant

[Carlos C.]

Hi Guys! So, I have a question and hopefully you fellow landlords can guide me in the right direction.

I have a Unit in a duplex in Sunrise Florida that the tenants just moved out. I assessed the damage and texted the ex-Tenant that from his $1600 deposit I was only returning $200. The total expense to fix the property was $1850 but I still wanted to give him something. He texted back saying “ok” and told me where to send the check.

5 days later he texted me arguing that the property was already in bad conditions and other false claims.

What should I do? I told him I was going to send him a copy of the invoice from the person that did the work and the pictures before he moved in and pictures of how he left he property.

Any advice? Thanks.