<prompt> Human: Hello personal finance,I recently moved out of a townhouse in which I had been living in for over two years. I had a one year lease originally, then was month to month prior to landlord requiring and additional one year lease. At the end of the second year lease I gave a 30 day notice both over text and via certified mail, landlord replied to both. In the leasing contract it says that the landlord had 30days to return the lease and itemized deductions. A portion of the 1000 security deposit was returned 41 days after the lease ended. In total 600 was deducted. 100 dollars was deducted for carpet cleaning. I believe the carpets were fine but I did not take pictured, I cleaned them before I left. I understand that I will most likely not be able to recoup this portion of the money. The landlord did not provide and receipt for the service. I would like it for my records as well as too make sure my ex-landlord did not screw me over. My main concern is 500 was taken out of the security deposit for failure to give 60 days notice on not resigning a lease. In my leasing contract is does not specify and states after the one year lease it will go month to month with 30days notice from any party. The last thing I have a question about is am i entitled to interest on the security deposit? The townhouse I was renting was part of a large association with over 200 units, however the landlord only owned the unit I was living in.What is the best way to go about going after my money? Should I try to contact the agent that helped me find the place to rent? Contact the landlord directly via phone call, text, email, certified mail? Contact a lawyer? Should I go straight to small claims court?IL renters rights according to attorney general:Thank you in advance for your advice.Edit:Update, I mailed a certified letter to my ex landlord. I also called and left a message as he did not pick up. In addition I called the agent that helped me get the unit, she said she would investigate some stuff for me. She also stated that the landlord put the house on the market immediately after I moved out. Does the landlord selling the unit have any effect on my case?Assistant: A couple of things to keep in mind: The 30-day notice is not for exactly 30 days before you want to move out; you will be on the hook for the whole month of rent whenever the 30 days elapse. So if youre rent is due on the 1st of the month, and you give your 30-day notice on April 15, youre still on the hook for the entire month of Mays rent. If you really believe the 500 were taken inappropriately, you need to draft a demand letter asking that the money be returned, and also asking that receipts be provided for the carpet cleaning. Give something like a 15 day deadline, and make sure the send a copy of the lease with the notice section that supports your claim highlighted. Make sure you mention that if you do not get those things, you will go to small claims court. Send this letter via certified mail with return receipt.If you do not get your money back, go to small claims court. Its a simple process. Its a pain in the ass, for sure, but your landlord will most likely settle before it gets that far. I just had to sue my landlady for my security deposit, and it worked.Human: I gave the notice slightly prior to the rent being due for the final month that I planned on living there to avoid that situation.Would you advise trying to call him first or just send a certified letter?  <response>: Certified letter. Youll need proof of receipt for court. 