Need advice about security deposit question

[Yogesh Kumar]

I moved out in end of June 2018 from a house in the state of Connecticut. The issue about security deposit and repairs has been going on since then. I think my landlord has been acting unreasonably and unfairly trying to extract more money out of me. I need advice about the specifics points:

Paint: The unit was painted 3 years before I moved in and I lived there for 2 years. It had multiple marks but no physical damage. The landlord wanted me to get the first floor painted. I got it painted with the color approved by the landlord. But we were short of paint and got more paint with the same color and completed the task. On closer look, the 2nd color we bought was slightly different from first which might be due to paint from the different company in Homedepot. Now she got it repainted with 2 coats and sends me a bill of $3500 for the living room, dining room, and stairwell.

My questions about paint are:

1. Since now I have been reading the rules, paint has a self-life of 3-5 years and unless I have damaged the walls, I am not responsible for it. Is that true?

2. Since it was only a matter of slight difference in the color, am I responsible for double coating?

3. Is $3500 a reasonable price for paint?

Countertop: There was slight damage to the granite countertop, which she wants me to pay. She has not got it fixed but sending me the invoice of $2100. Is that reasonable?

Yard and lawn: I have been maintaining the yard with bi-weekly maintenance person doing all the year work. The landlord, in the end, wanted to use his/her company and get it done his/her way. I heard that guy giving a quote of $500 which he said is negotiable. We agreed to use my maintenance person with a price of $230. Now I am being sent a bill of 1100 from a third company even after the work done by my guy as we agreed. Effectively she wants me to pay $1330, even if the company he/she was planning to hire quoted only $500 with space for negotiation. This is a red flag that the landlord is trying to get the money out of my unfairly.

Faucet: The faucet in the kitchen broke down within a week before the move out date and there was a water leak. Now the landlord thinks that it is by negligence and wants me to pay for it. Not just the price but also the labor charges i.e. 500. I think it should be her responsibility? Is that correct?

Inflated estimates/invoice: Now the real issue is about sending me the inflated estimates/invoice. When I asked for the real proof of payment, the landlord is sending me an invoice with a handwritten note saying paid in cash. How can I trust it? Some other are receipts of payment.

Summary: To summarize, the landlord has already kept $5200 security deposit and asking for $2800 more. I think the landlord is trying to take advantage of the fact that I am trying to solve it peacefully to move on. But taking my willingness to move on as weakness and incrementally increasing the bill amount unreasonably.

So, I want to prepare myself for all eventualities. I need guidance regarding my situation according to the laws in CT.  What will happen in this case if we plan to move to a small claims court? Any help will be appreciated.