Repair request letter

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Most repair requests never need to be a formal legal step — a phone call or a text gets the job done. This letter is for the requests that are worth documenting: a repair that's been reported before without action, an issue serious enough that you may need proof later, or simply a landlord who is easier to reach by mail than by phone. Sending it Certified costs a little more than a text, but it puts a date on the record that neither side can dispute afterward.

Why this is the first step, not the last one

A routine repair request is deliberately low-conflict. It states the problem, asks for a fix within a reasonable time, and offers to schedule access — nothing about withholding rent, breaking the lease, or habitability violations. That tone matters: if the repair does get made, you never need to reference the letter again. If it doesn't, you now have a dated record showing you asked first, which is exactly what most state habitability statutes require before a tenant can take a stronger remedy like repair-and-deduct, rent withholding, or reporting the unit to code enforcement.

What to include

Be specific about the problem and when it started — "the kitchen faucet has been leaking steadily since August 10" documents better than "the faucet is broken." Name the exact unit and address, give a way to reach you to schedule access, and ask for the repair within a reasonable time rather than naming a hard deadline (unless your lease or local law specifies one). Keep photos or a log of when you first raised the issue for your own records — the letter doesn't need to include them, but you may want them if this escalates.

If nothing happens after you send it

Give it a reasonable window — what counts as reasonable depends on the severity of the issue and your state law, anywhere from a few days for something urgent like no heat or water to a few weeks for a minor cosmetic repair. If the repair still isn't made, the next step is usually a more formal habitability or mold complaint letter, which is written to trigger the specific legal remedies your state allows.

How it works

• Open the template, fill in the address, the issue, and how to reach you.
• Pay $12.99 (Certified) — the letter mails the next business day.
• You get a tracking number and mailing receipt as proof it was sent and delivered.

We screen content for threats, fraud, and impersonation only — a routine repair request is fine. This template is a tool, not legal advice; habitability rules, notice periods, and tenant remedies vary by state and city, so confirm yours before relying on any specific timeline or right.