<human>: Can you condense the text into three sentences or less?

My ex-roommate resigned a lease with me in October 2015.  She wrote the August 1, 2016 rent check at time of resigning.  Since then, she has moved out, and I was just notified that her Aug 1 rent check bounced.  She told me that because she does not live there anymore, this is not her problem, despite her name remaining on the lease through July 2017.  The original rent check was for $1270.  I am going in to my rental company today to give them a certified money order for the $1270 in bounced rent, plus the fees.

In addition, she owes me for seven months of rent.  I have bank statements proving that I payed the rental company every month and that my ex-roommate has never written me a check for those seven months of rent (total around $3500).  My rental company can also show that she never paid them directly, as they only accept one check per apartment.

I will be taking her to small claims court over the seven months of rent, bounced rent check that I covered, plus the bounced check fees.  Do I have to notify her (e.g., with a certified letter) giving her an opportunity to pay me back before I can legally file in small claims court in Iowa?  My only option is a certified letter, as she has blocked my phone number and social media.
<bot>: (IA) Ex-roommate owes me seven months rent, plus a bounced check/fees.  Do I have to notify her and give her the opportunity to pay me back before I can file in small claims court?