Garbage Disposal Reviews

Can my landlord claim this money from my deposit?

I rented a room in my landlord’s house, and now that I am moving out, he intends to deduct the cost of fixing his garbage disposal, which just broke down, from my security deposit. The thing just stopped working, and had nothing to do with me. He and another room mate also live in the house, so pinning the cost on me is simply ridiculous.

I am already taking him to small claims court to be refunded additional money he is deducting from the deposit, which I supposedly owe him for additional rent money he flagrantly lies that I agreed, verbally, to pay him, beyond what is spelled out in the written contract.

Will the judge also award me the garbage disposal repair money if I sue for that as well?

Can any of the following be a tax write-off?

In California:

–payments made to a psychiatrist and psychologist (no health insurance, paid directly to them) Do I need to get receipts from them or does my canceled checks satisfy as evidence?
—Homeowner’s association dues
—homeowner’s insurance
—home security alarm payment
—home improvement costs such as replacing floor, repair garbage disposal etc.
—car maintenance costs if it has to do with work like gas, oil (if someone has to drive for work to go to clients etc.)

Another question if anyone knows is, what percentage of mortgage payment interest can be written off? If someone pays 50,000 in interest alone (and got the receipt from the lender), of that 50K, how much can be knocked off the income (if it works that way)

All these years I never knew how to do tax write offs and have paid more tax than my share so am trying to figure things out.

How much does the landlord have to be responsible for this?

I have a tennant who keeps breaking things. A few months ago I had to repair the dishwasher twice, then the third time I replaced it (It wa brand new when they moved in 1 1/2 years ago, commercial quality/size but I had to replace with cheaper model). I replaced it plus needed an electrician, cost me $500. This was last month. Today they emailed that it is not working again. I am so angry. I should’ve just removed it or I don’t know what my rights are. The dishwasher is listed in the lease and they emailed if I don’t fix the garbage disposal they can’t use the dishwasher. IF I remove the disposal will the dishwasher still work? I am so fed up. They also listed a dozen other things they broke for me to fix, the brand new cabinets in the kitchen are so scruffed up you can’t tell anymore they were $20,000 new ones 1 1/2 years ago, and they broke them 3 times, now a 4th cabinet is broken off the rollers. I am crying with anger, I can’t handle these people breaking up my house and I can’t evict them unless they don’t pay rent so they are costing me a fortune in repairs every month plus wearing down the house. This is in Los Angeles. Do I have to repair the disposal again or aren’t they resonsible? My appliance insurance isn’t even covering it anymore (including all the other new appliances they keep breaking because they claim it’s not due to normal wear/tear)/ What can I do? Please help me, I am going into the weekend depressed and stressed out.