If the rents and upkeep are really as unreasonable as you claim there should be other cheaper and better solutions nearby. 

Investigate what (if any) additional fees that they charge for handling evictions, and find out whether they go to small-claims themselves, or hire an attorney.

A magistrate is the lowest level judge who deals with landlord/tenant and small claims cases but they don't even need to be a lawyer to get that position. 

If these type of damages occur in the future, I would recommend holding the tenants deposit, or if there is a claim to be made through the insurance you sell them you could approach that avenue.

It was one of my first claims and I learned how their claim system works and never failed again. 

We are now suing them in TX small claims court as the security deposit was not enough to cover the 2 - 3 months rent after they trashed the house. 

Do I go about doing this by performing a Quit Claim Deed?

While you don't exactly validate his claim..sounds like for many it might be moving that way.Is there any city that could make it a competitive advantage? 

I'm thinking about just taking him to small claims court, can that be done? 

You’ve made an accusation, used it to imply that I’m covering something up, and provided not even an example, evidence, foundation, etc. for your outrageous claim.