Our landlord kept $ 475 for “professional carpet cleaning”. She didn’t even send us a notice that she was going to do this or proof that she even did it. (which in our state the landlord has to send an itemized list of damages and the amount being withheld plus statements of the actual cost paid out for damage within 45 of the tenant moving out.) She just typed in a letter saying $ 475 for a professional carpet cleaner. And sent it to us with the check minus the $ 475 on day 44. The thing is, she had carpet installers come out to the house two weeks before we moved out to take measurements because she wanted a different style and color carpet installed before she moved back in. She even had painters come out to the house to look at the rooms she wanted to be painted and what rooms she wanted to be repainted in different colors. She picked out the style and color of carpet right in front of us and the property manager (b/c we had a property manager for the house also). At move-out, the carpets were checked off in good condition with no damage. We all signed off on the move-out inspection list. She stated then that she “shouldn’t have told us or let us know she was replacing the carpet.” We thought that was strange for her to say to us. Then, I realized what she meant. Meaning, “If I didn’t tell you that I wanted new carpet and colors and had the installers here when you were, I could’ve lied and charged you for replacing the carpet. We have pictures showing the house and carpets were in excellent condition and didn’t think she would charge us for professionally cleaning them when she was tearing them out anyway and installing new carpet. We even cleaned them before we moved out. She did install new carpet because the neighbors saw them there and told us. Why would you pay almost $ 500 to clean carpets then tear them out a few days later? Obviously, she kept the money. Can we get it back legally?