Refund for Rental Deposit

In 2015 I signed a rental contract with Acutts Midrand which was extended twice and ended on January 31, 2018. Each extension was accompanied by a rental and key deposit as per the contract. Come the time for us to move out we informed Acutts Midrand that we will fix the place to the condition it was found in during the move, both parties agreed. We fixed everything fortunately for us we found someone who used to work for Acutts and he told us what should be fixed to the dot.

All the "renovations" were done and the agent was not around to do the exit inspection, however, Acutts conducted it in my absence and I had to request the inspection sheet more than twice before it can be sent to me. Now the exit inspection contradicts the inspection sheet done when we moved in. The agent is telling us all sorts of excuses regarding the painter that he did not use a ladder to paint the walls etc. as if there were present during the renovations.

I have since asked them for pictures of where the painting was poorly done, however, they gave me excuses saying I should have waited for them to provide a painter where else we had requested that of them and they kept telling us that they couldn't get hold of their painter. We then agreed on that we will find one ourselves. We told them who we found and there was no disagreement about it and now that we want our deposit and they can't fault us for anything they attacking the issue.

I have since then requested them for a joint inspection and they have not accepted the appointment.

Can this be sorted out speedily, my next step is to lodge this with the Housing Tribunal.