2 years past lease sending me to collections?!?

I lived at this apartment for a year with a roommate. Upon moving out, I continued checking my leasing portal to see if I owed anything. I never saw anything minus them saying they were going to keep my deposit for normal wear and tear which I’m used to. Corporate landlords are greedy. Now two years later, they send an email to my co-signer saying that I owe over $1,200 in “damages and repairs” after two years is this even legal? Do I have any way to fight this? The co-signer is my stepdad and he’s pissed the F off. Does anybody have any experience with this?