Need advice for a Landlord issue

Last year the wife and I began renting a house. Before we moved in, the landlord didn't do any cleaning or painting after the previous tenants moved out. We lived there a year and kept the house in better shape (inside and out) than previous people. Actually got complemented on the yard from a neighbor. Anyways fast forward a year, I get a new job and we move and buy a house. The landlord says he'll get us our deposit back as soon as he inspects the house. The wife called him two weeks ago but he gave her the runaround. So I called him today even though he rarely answers when I calls. Well he did answer, so I asked him about our deposit. First he said he had to get the carpet cleaned ($150) since we had pets. I had no problem with that but pointed out that he didn't clean it before we moved in. Then he precedes to tell me that he has to do some painting ($300). I asked him for what and he says that he didn't get the chance to before we moved in. Calmly I asked him, "So what you are telling me is that you are charging us for painting that you didn't do before we moved in?" Then in a smartass tone, he asked, " Well what do you want me to do?" I said that I just want you to treat us fair. Pissed him off I guess so then he popped off that he would figure something out and put a check in the mail next week then hung up.

Any advice? Got a friend that is a lawyer, any need to talk to him about the situation just in case?