这是房客在法院告我吗?

收到法院一封信，只是要求我30天内答复，没有要我出庭。起因是这样的：

我在SC Myrtle Beach 07年买了一房，成了个underwater的远程地主。去年底原租客租约没到期买了新房要搬走。他们答应介绍一个女方的同事在他们搬家的第二天搬进来。我同意如果新房客签了lease我中间没有损失的话，我会把原房客的deposit退还。可是新房客倒是搬进来了，可没有交全deposit 因此就没有lead to an effective lease. 因为新房客还在按时交房租，我也就对新房客睁一只眼闭一只眼。
 

因为原房客介绍的人没有lead to an effective lease, 我拒绝退还原房客的deposit. 原房客请了律师给我发了封信。我想是原房客beak lease 我有权留下他们的deposit,所以就没理会那封律师的来信。原房客现在去法院pray: 

1. Return of deposit

2. Pay their attorney fees and cost

3. Want to be awarded treble damage

 

I am summoned and required (within 30 days) to answer the allegation and present any appropriate counterclaims/cross claims to the claim.

 

I think I have following options:

A. Write response myself, admit no fault but agree to refund 1/2 of the deposit simply wish the case will be dropped;

B. Hire a lawyer. Pay lawyer the same or grater amount to respond.

C . Write a response first,  Hire a lawyer later when they file a more "official" legal case against me.

D. 请大家指引.....

 

有点长。先跪谢大家出媒画策帮忙度过难关。也希望此案对其他地主有帮助或启发。