I am being sued by my former tenant. State of New York.. Long Island in particular. Herer are the facts:

1. I never received written notice to vacate... which was required in the lease.

2. The roommate gave me the deposit.. not the person suing me.

3. I never received the keys back.

4. I never received a forwarding address for either roommate.

5. There was damages caused by a pet. My husband and I rented a carpet cleaner and tore up and replaced the underlying floorboard ourselves... are we entitled to our labor and matériel.

6. Remaining roommate didn't clean a thing. I spent 11 hours cleaning the apartment after he left.

So... question is... Do you thing I have a strong case for withholding the deposit?