Security deposit Tom Foolery

Hey y'all, check this out. 💁🏼 My son and DL (and kids) moved out of a rental house in March where they had lived for 2 years, rent was paid on time and never an issue with the LL. (Keep in mind the house was a firetrap) Life got hectic after they moved with work and a newborn, so he kind of forgot about the security deposit of $1500 due back to him. After a bit of prodding from me he sent a cerified letter to the LL in early May; he recieved no substantial response to that letter and once again, life got hectic, it went on the back burner He has just recently recieved a letter from the LL informing my son he shall recieve back the princely sum of $123 (out of $1500) and included was an itemized list of damages and repairs which were performed in AUGUST!, 5 months after he had moved out. Lol, I told my son to tell the LL he could keep $500 for wear and tear, (being nice) send my son back $1000 or we can go to small claims for 3x the amount of the security deposit. I think the LL has a big pair of nuts wanting to keep almost $1400 after 5 months have gone by. Im sure he's aware he had 30 days to make any damage/tepair claims per Texas law. 💁🏼 Anyway, whats everyone's feeling on this?