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Landlord and tenant dispute
Both landlords and tenants can become unhappy because the other is not complying with the terms of their rental agreement. Landlord and tenant law can be quite complicated but the best solution is often found by having a conversation.
Where this fails, put your concerns in writing. Two of the most common situations are covered in the sample letters below.
If that still does not do the trick, you can use our service to take advice on your situation. We can help you with the next steps – which might be mediation.
Disclaimer reminder
Please note: To give you general information about your dispute, the information given here is a simplification of a complex area of law and cannot be relied upon. Before taking action please use our Small Claims service to get specialist legal advice on your specific circumstances. See the full terms and conditions of this website
Information to include | Sample letter – Landlord claiming unpaid rent from tenant | |
| 1 | Start of official letter to tenant | Dear Mr Smith,
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| 2 | Background Any relevant background information: What was agreed between you (usually in the tenancy or rental agreement? Also refer to any written or verbal agreements.
| Background From 20 June 2012 you have rented property from me. The details are as follows: Address: Ground floor flat, 14 Folly Close, Bristol BS41 9VB Rent: Originally £750 every month. This increased to £800 every month from 20 June 2013 Date of rental agreement: 15 June 2012 |
| 3 | Payments Details of any payments requested and any payments made. |
Payments Until 20 January 2014 you always made your rental payments on time. On 20 January you only paid £400 of the £800 due and have not made any further payments. |
| 4 | Complaint Identify clearly why you are unhappy. Give any relevant dates | Complaint You have not made the last 2 monthly payments and your rent for the above property is overdue: Rent that is overdue: £1,200 Missed payment dates: 20 January 2014 (£400 unpaid) and 20 February 2014 (£800 unpaid). |
| 5 | Remedy Be as clear as possible about the remedy you would like.
| Remedy I therefore request that the unpaid rent of £1,200 is paid immediately. Please also ensure that all future payments are made on time for the full amount due. If you are facing financial difficulties, I am prepared to consider a payment plan with you to pay off the money you owe. My phone number is 07987897108018. |
| 6 | Reply Give your opponent 14 days to reply to the letter : | Reply Please do not ignore this letter. I would like us to try to resolve our dispute without court proceedings and legal costs. Please reply in the next 14 days, so that this matter can be resolved as set out in this letter.
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| 7 | Consequences Point out that ignoring your letter will mean you may start legal proceedings for the court to deal with the dispute and that you may refer the judge to your letter. | Consequences I am sure it will not prove necessary but if I do not hear from you within 14 days then I reserve the right to start court proceedings against you. If you do not pay the overdue rent I will have no option but to claim back the unpaid rent through the courts and make an for possession of the property. If I do have to issue court proceedings, I will refer the court to this letter and I will also ask the court to order you to pay me interest, court fees and legal costs. I look forward to hearing from you within the next 14 days. |
| 8 | Ending |
Yours sincerely, Ian Rate |
Information to include | Sample letter – Tenant’s letter to Landlord wanting repairs to the rental property | |
| 1 | Start of official letter to other side (landlord or agency). | [If you know the person’s name]: Dear Mr Smith, [If you do not know their name]: Dear Sirs, |
| 2 | Background Any relevant background information: What was agreed between you? What happened (in date order)? Be specific and refer to any written or verbal agreements. | Background I rent the following property from you: Address: Ground floor flat, 14 Folly Close, Bristol BS41 9VB Rent: Originally £750 every month. This increased to £800 every month from 20 June 2013 Date of rental agreement: 15 June 2012 I am writing to inform you of some repair work that needs to be carried out at the property above, which I rent from you. |
| 3 | Payments/Rent Details of any payments requested and any payments made. | Rent The rent is £800 every month and I am up to date with payments. |
| 4 | Complaint/ repairs needed Identify clearly what has gone wrong or needs fixing. Give any relevant dates. Be clear about any problems this is causing you. Some examples are given: | Repairs needed The repair work that is needed is as follows: The radiators in the sitting room are not heating up. It has been like that since we turned the heating on in October. The room is now so cold we can’t use it. The cold water pipe to the kitchen sink has started leaking. I only noticed it 2 days ago because it is leaking onto the carpet in the hall. This is now damp and is likely to stain and go mouldy if it is not fixed soon. I attach a photo of where it is leaking and the damage to the carpet. The handrail on the stairs is loose and is not safe. I first noticed this yesterday. I am worried that one of my children might be injured going up the stairs. Because of the danger please arrange for a really quick repair. I have attached photos of the stairs and also of broken fixing of the handrail. On Wednesday 10 November I noticed the front door lock was not working properly. When I came back you could just push the door open. It means that the house is not secure and is at risk of theft. If the problem is not fixed the resultant damage may get worse and cost more to put right. |
| 5 | Problems caused Give details of any problems, injuries or losses you have suffered as a result. If relevant refer to photos. Some example options are given. | Problems caused as a result: So far there has been no injury or incident caused but I am concerned that this may change if the repairs are not made quickly. I have to pay an extra £10 a week in using an electric heater. The damp is affecting the health of my family. My GP has told me it is making my daughters asthma much worse and she may be able to bring a claim for her extra suffering. My elderly mother suffered a nasty fall last night and had to be treated at A&E. She needs the handrail to get up the stairs. She may bring her own claim for injury compensation and her expenses. |
| 6 | Losses and expenses If the problems have caused you losses or expenses – give details. Also provide proof of the damage and cost of repairs or replacement wherever possible. Some examples are given: | Losses and expenses Here is a photo of the electric heater I have had to start to use. I will be able to provide copy electricity bills to show I now have to pay an extra £10 every week for the last 3 weeks. I attach the receipt for the rug I bought just 2 months ago for £120 as well as the photo of the mould before I throw it out. I will be talking legal advice on the injury compensation claim and will provide further details in due course.
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| 7 | Remedy Be as clear as possible about the remedy you would like. Say what action you would like them to take (or stop). Where you are asking for a payment – put a price on the you seek. | Remedy Please contact me as soon as possible to arrange a time to inspect the problem and for the repair work to be carried out. Either you or your repair person can contact me on 07701082334. Please also confirm that you agree to pay me the losses and expenses set out above. |
| 8 | Reply Give your opponent 14 days to reply to the letter: | Reply Please do not ignore this letter. I would like us to try to resolve our dispute without court proceedings and legal costs. Please reply in the next 14 days, so that this can be resolved as set out in this letter. If the repair has not been sorted in the next 14 days I reserve the right to also claim a refund of part of the rent I have paid for the inconvenience and also because part of the property is not useable. |
| 9 | Consequences Point out that ignoring your letter will mean you may start legal proceedings for the court to deal with the dispute and that you may refer the judge to your letter. | Consequences I am sure it will not prove necessary but if I do not hear from you within 14 days then I reserve the right to start court proceedings. If I do ultimately have to issue court proceedings, I will refer the court to this letter and I will also ask the court to order you to pay me interest, court fees and legal costs. I look forward to hearing from you within the next 14 days. |
| 10 | Ending | [If you started with their name]: Yours sincerely, Ian Rate [If you started using Dear Sirs]: Yours faithfully, Ian Rate |
Expert legal advice you can rely on:
Small Claims Service
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