You can review landlord tenant laws for your state at: http://www. nolo. com/legal-encyclopedia/state-landlord-tenant-laws For a guide to tenant rights in the U. K. visit: https://www. gov. uk/private-renting/your-rights-and-responsibilities For a guide to landlord and tenant rights in Germany visit: http://www. globalpropertyguide. com/Europe/Germany/Landlord-and-Tenant For a guide to tenant rights in Spain visit: http://www. idealspain. com/pages/information/Tenants. htm
Your letter should be typed. If you do not have access to a computer and printer, you can hand print your letter. Your letter should be addressed to the person who is responsible for repairing your apartment. If both a live-in landlord and a property management company maintain the building, consider addressing the letter to the landlord and sending a copy to the property management company. Type the addressee’s full name and mailing address at the top left of the page. If you rent from an individual, this should be his or her name and address; if you rent from a company, this would be the name and business address of the property manager. Your letter should be dated, with the date placed above the address of the landlord or on the right side of the page as the first line of text. As discussed below, your letter should explain the problem that you are having and request the landlord’s assistance in correcting the problem. Provide your contact information, including phone number, address and email address so that the landlord can contact you to schedule any repairs. Sign the letter and type or print your name below your signature.
A clear and concise description of the problem should be included in the opening paragraph of the letter. Be as specific as you can in describing the problem. For example, instead of saying “I have a leak” say instead, “There is a slow leak in the plumbing under the kitchen sink. ” Provide the date on which the problem began. If you are unsure of the exact date, provide the approximate date or the month in which you first noticed the problem(s) or began having the issue. If you previously requested that the landlord repair the problem, your letter should include the date(s) that you spoke to the landlord about the problem. If you are requesting a minor repair, it may be helpful if you explain how the minor problem could become worse. For example, if you are asking for the tile grout to be replaced because some of it is missing, you could state that you are concerned that water is getting behind the tile and may cause a serious mold condition. Highlighting how a problem could get worse or become dangerous may motivate a landlord to make minor repairs. Explain any steps that you have taken to resolve the problem, including if you obtained an opinion or estimate from a professional. If your received an estimate, you should attach it to your letter. In a new paragraph, you should request that the landlord fix or resolve the issues. You can request that the problem(s) be fixed by a certain date, and if necessary, describe how you would like the issue resolved. You can also offer your assistance in fixing the problem. [2] X Research source
A hardcopy letter should be sent via certified mail. This will allow you to document that the letter was delivered to the landlord. You may begin checking the United States Post Office (“USPS”) website for delivery confirmation approximately 2-3 days after mailing a letter by certified mail. You can find the USPS’s track and confirm utility on its website at https://tools. usps. com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input. Once you receive confirmation of delivery, print it, and staple it to your copy of the letter. If you have corresponded with the addressee via e-mail in the past, you may choose to deliver your complaint letter as an attachment to an e-mail, in addition to hardcopy. When delivering a legal letter via e-mail, request a delivery receipt. Check your e-mail reader’s documentation for instructions on how to do this using your specific e-mail software. Once you receive confirmation of e-mail delivery, print it and staple it to your hardcopy of the letter. Sending a letter by fax is appropriate in most cases where the recipient commonly uses a fax for business purposes. If you rent from a company or individual that maintains office hours, you may choose to send your letter via fax to the business’s fax number. Most fax machines print a delivery confirmation page, which you should staple to your copy of the letter.
Failure to pay rent. Failure to leave the apartment in a clean condition. Failure to make minor repairs. Failure to give appropriate notice of vacating the apartment. Failure to return keys. Failure to remove trash or all personal belongings. [3] X Research source
By requesting a walkthrough, you are putting the responsibility on the landlord to note any issues before you leave so he or she can not use them as a justification for failing to return your security deposit later. [4] X Research source
Make sure that you give your landlord your forwarding address so that he or she can return your deposit to you. [6] X Research source
A detailed description of the condition that you left the apartment and why you are entitled to receive your deposit back. If the landlord kept a portion of your deposit and you dispute his or her reasoning, you should explain why the landlord wasn’t justified in keeping any of your deposit. You can send a copy of the pictures of the apartment as evidence of the condition of the apartment when you vacated it. Cite your state’s laws regarding the return of the security deposit and explain that the landlord is violating the law. Explain that you will take the landlord to small claims court unless the matter is resolved. Send the letter certified mail via the United States Postal Service. [7] X Research source
Structural problems, such as damaged walls or roof. Failing to provide working locks on windows and doors. Failing to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Unsafe or unsanitary stairways. Damaged electrical or plumbing services. Failing to rectify rodent or pest infestations. Failing to evict drug sellers living in the building. [8] X Research source
A detailed description of the hazard. If you previously notified the landlord of the condition, state when you gave prior notice. State that you have serious concerns for your personal safety. Describe the potential and foreseeable harm that could occur, such as fire or burglary. If you are concerned about a lack of security precautions such as workable locks or a gate over a window leading to a fire escape, you can note (if applicable) recent incidents of crime in your area. Request that that the situation be rectified immediately. Sign and date your letter. Send your letter via certified mail and keep a copy for your records. [9] X Research source You can view a sample notice letter at: http://www. nolo. com/legal-encyclopedia/sample-letter-alerting-landlord-dangerous-conditions. html.
Having the problem fixed and deducting the cost from your rent. Breaking your lease. Withholding rent. You should review your state’s laws in order to act in accordance with any legal requirements. However, your first concern should be your personal safety.
The petition should be posted in a common area to maximize tenants reviewing and signing the document. The petition can also be circulated at tenants’ meetings or other gatherings. A person could also go door-to-door soliciting support from other tenants in the building.
A polite request for the landlord to make the improvements and/or repairs. A specific date by which the landlord should respond to the request. An explanation of why the tenants believe the repairs are necessary. If this is the first request for improvements, it may not be in the tenants’ best interest to threaten repercussions if the landlord fails to act. However, the letter should be firmly worded so that the landlord takes the request seriously. The letter should be sent via certified mail and a copy should be maintained by the tenants association or by the person spearheading the petition. [10] X Research source You can view a sample petition letter at: http://www. nolo. com/legal-encyclopedia/sample-group-petition-landlord-repairs-property-improvements. html.
