Letter To Landlord For Repairs

Make sure the repair is actually your landlord's responsibility. Document the problem thoroughly. Ask your landlord in writing to make the repair. Send your landlord a letter with return receipt requested. Wait for your landlord to respond.

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).

The landlord had a duty to reasonably maintain the property; The landlord knew or should have known of the dangerous condition; The landlord breached their duty by failing to repair/fix the dangerous condition;

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.

Tenants can all agree to withhold rent until the landlord makes repairs. A group of tenants can ask a judge to order the landlord to make repairs. If the landlord absolutely refuses to fix the bad conditions, tenants can ask a court to appoint a temporary landlord called a receiver in order to make repairs.

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.

If the problem is an emergency, (such as no heat in winter, or no water), your landlord must fix it immediately. This means within hours, or at most a day or two. For other repairs, you should give a reasonable time, such as 10-15 days, to make the repairs needed.

Landlords are required to make and pay for repairs for items under their responsibility. They must do so within 21 days after receiving a written request from tenants (read more).

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.