Letter Tenant Landlord

Dear (Name of landlord or manager), I am writing to request repairs to the (appliance, heating/air conditioning, plumbing issue be specific!) due to (reason for repair; this could include things such as broken handle, leaky sink hose, even normal wear-and-tear that would necessitate replacement).

To give you an idea, it's in good taste to start your letter "Dear Mr./Ms. Insert Name Here," as is the case with any polite letter. No matter how much you might want to give your landlord a piece of your mind, do yourself a favor and refrain from calling him a slumlord.

You hear a lot of outside noise. You feel a draft, even when your windows are closed. Window frames are soft, chipped or water damaged. Difficulty opening, closing and locking windows. Condensation build up between glass layers or cracked window glass.

One way to get your landlord to fix bad conditions is to withhold all or some of your rent until the landlord actually makes the repairs. This is called "rent withholding." Tenants have a right to withhold rent because landlords are obligated to provide safe and habitable housing under the warranty of habitability.

Your landlord is responsible for most major repairs to your home if you rent privately. This includes: the structure of the property, for example walls, roof, windows and doors. sinks, baths, toilets.

Windows, like other daily-use items, wear down and need to be replaced every 15 years on average. This time frame will vary due to several factors, such as the quality of the window, climate, and window maintenance.

Clearly, state what you demand to be repaired by the person. Mention the period since it has been causing a problem and that it is high time. Without being too harsh, the letter is written as a warning to the person. Address the person well.

Use an appropriate business letter format. Keep it simple. If appropriate, provide the recipient with pertinent information to help them remember who you are. Briefly explain what it is you want the reader to do.

When it comes to a rental property, however, windows that are merely drafty and do not pose any type of safety hazard are typically not a requirement for the landlord to fix or replace. That being said, if you want to attract and keep good tenants, energy-efficient windows can be a great selling point.