Write a landlord complaint letter that actually gets a response

There's a leak under your kitchen sink. You texted the landlord twice; he replied "ok will check" eleven days ago. Now there's a smell, the cabinet floor is warping, and you're composing increasingly furious messages in your head while doing the dishes. The furious version feels great to write. It's also the easiest version for him to ignore.

What gets a response is a letter that's calm, specific, dated, and quietly makes clear you're keeping records. That's a particular register, and it's hard to hit when you're angry. So don't write it angry. Describe it angry, and let Mabel write it.

What to send

Email [email protected] with the facts, in whatever order they fall out:

"My landlord has ignored a leak under the kitchen sink for almost two weeks. I texted June 14 and June 19, he said he'd check and never did. The cabinet base is warping and it's starting to smell like mildew. I'm in Ohio, rent is current, I've been here three years and don't want a war, I just want it fixed. Can you write me something firm but not nasty?"

If you've got photos of the damage or screenshots of the texts, forward those too; she'll fold the specifics into the letter.

What comes back

A letter you can paste into an email or print, in your voice rather than fake-lawyer voice:

Dear Mr. Alvarez,

I'm writing to formally request repair of the plumbing leak under the kitchen sink at 412 Maple St, Apt 2. I first reported this by text on June 14 and again on June 19. As of today, June 27, no repair has been made, and the leak has now caused visible warping to the cabinet base along with a mildew odor.

Please confirm by July 2 when a repair will be scheduled. I'm keeping photos and copies of our correspondence for my records.

I've been a reliable tenant for three years and would much rather resolve this simply.

Notice what's doing the work: dates, a paper trail mentioned without being threatened, a specific deadline, and a friendly off-ramp at the end. That combination is what moves a request from "tenant venting" to "thing I should handle this week."

Mabel can also mention what tenants in your state can generally do when repairs stall, so you know how much leverage sits behind your polite letter. She's not a lawyer, though, and the letter isn't legal advice; if it escalates to withholding rent or breaking a lease, talk to a local tenant resource first.

Pro tip

Give her dates and the exact words from earlier exchanges. "He texted back 'ok will check' on June 19" is worth more than "he keeps blowing me off," because the letter can quote it. Documented specifics are the whole game; vague grievances get vague responses, and dated facts get plumbers.