Maintenance request letter
Write a dated repair request letter to your landlord, in a few taps
What's broken?
The heat goes out in January. You text the landlord. They reply with a thumbs up.
A week later, you're sleeping in a hoodie. You text again. Nothing.
As far as the record goes, you never asked.
A thumbs up isn't a promise. A dated letter is proof: of what's broken, and of when they knew.
It takes a minute to write. It can save you a whole winter.
Four steps
- 1
Put it in writing
Email or letter, dated. A text can get lost. A letter is a record.
- 2
Keep the proof
Photos of the problem, a copy of the letter, every reply.
- 3
Follow up, in writing
No fix by the date you asked? Send a short, dated follow-up.
- 4
Know your options
Some states let you do more if repairs never come. Rules vary a lot.
See what's allowed where you live: Tenant rights by state →
Good to know
How fast does a landlord have to fix things?+
Depends on your state and how serious it is. No heat or water usually needs fast action; routine repairs, a reasonable time.
Why a letter and not a text?+
A dated, written request is proof. Many state protections start from written notice.
Can I stop paying rent until it's fixed?+
Only in some states, and only by following specific steps. Check your state's rules first, or you risk eviction.
What if they ignore it?+
Follow up in writing, keep records, and check your tenant rights. Local tenant groups can help too.