Inventory carried out AFTER the tenants trashed the place!

Tenancy Deposits

Our lettings agency carried out an inventory as expected but for unknown reasons they carried it out 2.5 months into the tenancy so it shows considerable damage and stain on the carpets as if they were pre-existing. In fact they were caused wholly by the tenants.

We want to retain some of the deposit to replace broken items and clean stained carpets - but our tenants will point to the inventory and fight us (they are very quick to talk about solicitors, housing laws and courts).

What can we do? We've gone back to our letting agent (to whom we pay 12% commission to do their job) but they haven't replied to our emails. Is there any low cost legal support available?

Thank you