Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Unfortunately, this topic is fact-driven and often litigated. "Normal wear and tear" is seemingly incapable of strict definition. There is no black-and-white law that is going to give you an assured win if you wave it in the landlord's face, nor does the landlord have the benefit of any precise legal standards for calculating what you owe, if anything.

I would say re-read your lease, be prepared to negotiate and reason with the landlord, and if that doesn't work, read up on small-claims procedures.

Does the lease or rental agreement have any specific dispute-resolution requirements, such as a mediation process? Probably not, but look for it.

Take pictures for use as evidence if you still can.