Home > Home > Tenant Letter to Landlord Requesting Repairs

Tenant Letter to Landlord Requesting Repairs

By: Beth Morrisey MLIS - Updated: 11 Mar 2018 | comments*Discuss
 
Letter Business Letter Landlord Tenant

Most tenants are obligated under the terms of their tenancy agreements to notify their landlords when repairs are required at their rental properties. Even without such obligations most tenants would notify their landlords anyway given that they would prefer to live in properties that are in good working order and would not like to pay for repairs that are their landlords' responsibility. Sending a formal letter to a landlord is the best way for a tenant to request repairs and retain proof of this request.

Content of a Tenant Letter to Landlord Requesting Repairs

A letter sent to a landlord requesting repairs to a rental property should include as many details of the requested repairs as possible. These details could include the date on which the need for a repair was noticed, the area or appliance affected and if there are/were any associated effects. The tenant should also include:
  • Name
  • Address at which (s)he is living
  • Best method of getting in touch to discuss the requested repair
  • Let him or her know of when someone will be by to make the repair.
  • If the tenant feels it is required, (s)he might also reference the particular terms of his or her tenancy agreement which require the landlord to make the repair or the particular terms of legislation such as the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Format of a Tenant Letter to Landlord Requesting Repairs

While a tenant letter to a landlord is a type of business letter, the format of a letter requesting repairs might be slightly less formal than other business letters. This is because such a letter might include a list of required repairs as the bulk of the body rather than several different paragraphs. These letters should still include the name and mailing address of both the tenant and landlord, as well as the date on which the letter was written and a formal salutations ("Dear,") but the closing might be slightly less formal ("Thank you," "best wishes,"). If typed, a tenant letter to a landlord requesting repairs should be left aligned with the list of required repairs indented, numbered and/or bulleted for easy reading. A professional font such as Times New Roman should be used, and the letter should be printed on clean printer paper rather than personal stationery. The tenant should retain a copy of the letter for their files as well as proof of posting the letter.

Example of a Tenant Letter to Landlord Requesting Repairs

Mr. Teddy Tenant
Mailing Address

Date

Ms. Lydia Landlord
Mailing Address

Dear Ms. Landlord,

I am currently your tenant at [Address] and am writing to notify you that the property requires a few repairs.

  1. The pipe to the guest bathroom toilet has begun to leak.
  2. The radiator in the master bedroom has ceased to function.
  3. A gutter at the back of the house has broken free from the roof.

All of these issues are listed as being a landlord's responsibility under the terms of my tenancy agreement, as well as by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

My home phone number is [Number] and my email address is [Address]. Either is suitable for contacting me to let me know when workmen will be at the property, though I will require at least 24 hours warning. If I am unable to be home to meet the workmen I would appreciate you escorting them inside as per the terms of my tenancy agreement.

I look forward to hearing from you soon regarding these matters.

Thank you,

__________________
Teddy Tenant

You might also like...
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
Why not be the first to leave a comment for discussion, ask for advice or share your story...

If you'd like to ask a question one of our experts (workload permitting) or a helpful reader hopefully can help you... We also love comments and interesting stories

Title:
(never shown)
Firstname:
(never shown)
Surname:
(never shown)
Email:
(never shown)
Nickname:
(shown)
Comment:
Validate:
Enter word:
Topics
Latest Comments