Security Deposit and Unfair(?) Additional Charges

Location: New Hampshire – My fiancé (21F) and I (22m) just moved out of a cabin rental in central New Hampshire on June 21st, 2025, with our five month old daughter and our dog. This was a short-term lease from November 1st to June 21st. Our monthly rent was $1,850 a month plus electric. After moving out, I received an email from my landlord saying that they would be keeping our $1,850 security deposit AND requesting an additional $654.86. The email reads as follows:

“As you are already well aware, the property was left filthy and filled with food, personal items and lots of trash, including multiple mattresses and old tires.  I am not charging you for the (dog?) damage to the patio doors because we plan to replace them. Below, you will find an itemized list of the costs required to bring the property back to where it was when you first moved in. I have included prorated electric bills. Electric:  5/8/25-6/5/25:  $188.70Electric:  6/6/25-6/21/25: $104.16 Cleaning:  18 hours @ $100/hr:  $1,800.00 Trash removal:  $150.00 New lock for shed: $12.00 Resurfacing of lawn area where cars left ruts and damaged grass:  $250.00 Total:  $2,504.86 Less Deposit:  -$1,850.00 Due:  $654.86”

I agree that some of these charges are legit. We had to leave some items there along with some things that we couldn’t throw away. The yard work is probably also legit. However, this email is stretching the truth FAR beyond the actual condition of the cabin. The cabin itself was mostly empty and I DO NOT agree with 18 hours of cleaning at $100/hr. I feel like these numbers were merely set at $1800 so that we would be charged for everything else. What should we do in this situation? I don’t have the money for a lawyer right now (I just started a new job). However, I don’t agree with us paying $2,504.86 either. Would it be cheaper to just pay the $654.86? What is the best course of action to take here?

Thanks!