My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: CA

My ex-property manager and I have been locked in a dispute over the return of a $1100 security deposit since July 2015 which was when it was supposed to be returned to me. (I moved out on June 27, 2015.) After much banter back and forth the property management company emailed me that if I didn't agree to not pursue this matter in Small Claim Court that they would file a claim against me in small claims court the following Monday for additional charges beyond my $1100 security deposit. (I felt that the property management company was charging me for damages that were not my responsibility and their reluctance to be honest, and provide documentation regarding the charges was unacceptable.) 2 weeks went by.... still nothing. In late September I emailed that I had not received anything firther from them and was curious if they were pursuing this. I was still trying to decide if I wanted to pursue them in small Claims court for what I felt were excessive deductions. (I was working a full time job and juggling 3 freelance clients, plus dealing with about a million different things in my personal life. Needless to say I was maxxed out much less adding a small claims case to it all. It bothered me that I hadn't pursued it and once the full time job ended 2 weeks ago I really regretted it but thought it was in bad taste to revisit the issues, especially after not receiving a reply to my email and knowing the property had been sold to a new owner on September 28.) Basically I kicked myself for not finding the time to stand up for myself but next time I'd know better...

Then two days ago (October 26) I received a knock at the door (at my new rental.) And was served papers from the property management company stating that I owed them $478 and was being taken to small claims court on Nov. 30. Their claim includes the following - a copy of the notice they mailed me stating they were withholding my security deposit to pay for the following repairs which totaled $1578, plus a copy of the receipt for the actual charges of the repairs which totaled $2750. (This is a very long story which centers around the fact the landlord did not provide any documentation regarding the repairs with the original itemized statement. Then when I asked for the documentation they changed their story stating the repairs hadn't been completed yet which is why they hadn't given me the information. Then when the repairs were completed they had their maintenance company send an invoice that was just as undescriptive as the first one was .. floor = $780 Clean up = $380 etc.) The claim is only for $478. I still feel that they charged me for repairs that shouldn't have and that I shouldn't have to pay them an additional $478 rather they should be paying me not only because a majority of the repairs they deducted from my deposit were for wear and tear, or damages that weren't my fault but my entire security deposit back because they didn't follow the law regrading initial inspection and notification of charges 21 days after move out.

I realize I need to file a counter claim but for how much? And to MOST IMPORTANTLY to WHO? The property SOLD on September 28. The property management company is no longer associated with this property, rather the new owner has a different management company listed. (I checked Zillow, Trulia, etc. and there is a different property management company listed.) Doesn't the old landlord/property management company have to transfer any security deposits to the new owner? It's my understanding this should've been resolved prior to the sale of the property. I can easily defend myself against the $478 but if I'm going through all this work than I would like to counterclaim for my entire security deposit return. Is that even possible now that the propert sold?