My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Texas
My daughter singed a year lease without a security deposit in 8/2011. she gave notice in 4/12 to move out. we moved her out on 5/11/12. she paid all her rent and turned in her keys on that day. In 9/12 she received a bill for $293 for full clean, full paint and pet treat for carpet. My daughter never owned a pet. We disputed the charges. They sent 29 pictures and asked for payment in full. We sent a demand letter and asked for itemized detail of charges, also expressed that pictures showed normal wear and tear not damages and that my daughter did not own a pet and that the carpet did not smell because we were personally there moving her out. We filled nail holes but did not vacuum because we inadvertently packed the vacuum cleaner early on under all her other belongings. Her bathroom was not cleaned very well but there was no damage left, it just needed a good cleaning. They sent the bill to collections who are now calling and demanding payment practically daily. What recourse do we have. They inspected the apartment 2 1/2 months after she moved out. Charged her for common area clean up even though she had not lived there for the remainder of the lease term. When we disputed the charges they removed the words "Pet treat for carpet" but the $293 total is still the same. Can they do that? change the bill to not reflect a pet treat charge, not give us an itemized list of charges, inspect the premises 2 1/2 months after she moves out? The law seems very specific when there is a security deposit involved but my daughter did not have one. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

