Writing a Letter to Your Landlord

Documenting requests and notifications made to your landlord, such as about repairs or the presence of asbestos in your unit, can be key to addressing the issue that you are facing. This can be done through writing, in the form of a letter, email, or text.

Why is maintaining written documentation important?

• The landlord may be less likely to misunderstand or forget the tenant’s request.

• This satisfies the legal requirement that the tenant provides the landlord with a reasonable opportunity to address the issue before the tenant withholds rent or uses other legal rights.

• This can also be evidence if the tenant needs to demonstrate that they repeatedly requested a serious issue in their unit to be addressed.

How to deliver these requests or notifications to your landlord?

• If possible, the tenant should deliver the request or notification personally.

• If sent by mail, the tenant may want to choose a mail or delivery service that will provide a receipt ensuring that it was delivered.

Sample Letter or Email Regarding Lead Test Results

Sample Letter or Email Regarding Deteriorating Asbestos