How to Write a Complaint Letter to a Landlord

When you rent an apartment or home, it is generally your landlord’s responsibility to make repairs and take care of any problems that you might have. To alert your landlord to a problem or issue that you are having or to let them know that something needs repair, you can write a letter. A complaint letter, however, should not be insulting or vulgar. Your goal with the letter is to get something accomplished, and polite language will do a much better job of that.

Write your name and address at the top of the letter.

Include your landlord’s name and address beneath your own.

Explain any previous communication regarding your complaint in the first paragraph. For example, if you are complaining about uncompleted repairs that you sent a previous letter about, reference this letter, as well as the date it was sent.

Describe the nature of your complaint in detail. Using the example above, describe the type of repairs that need to be done in your apartment or house.

Refer to the section of your lease that legally obligates the landlord to rectify the complaint, such as where the lease states that the landlord is responsible for repairs.

State that you would like to discuss the issue further and ask that the landlord contact you. Provide your phone number.

Print and sign your name at the bottom of the letter. Add the date you’re sending or delivering it to the landlord.