You may have gotten screwed and sounds like it but did you cause any damage to the house? Be honest with yourself because I had tenants who fought tooth and nail for me not to withhold the damage deposit after damage and threatened all types or things with wanabe lawyer language. In the end they came to their senses and we settled. IMO if there is any damage whatsoever over normal wear and tear you should be paying 100% of the cost to have a professional fix it.
Not saying you aren't in the right, just feel like there is so much hatred towards landlords when usually it's the tenants that are the dead beats.