Structure and tone
How to write an IELTS letter to landlord
The tone comes from the reader, not the purpose. In this set: 2 formal, 18 semi-formal.
The outline every sample here follows
- 1.Salutation: Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully. Write to someone you know but not closely, such as a manager, landlord or neighbour, using their title and surname. Write to a friend or relative by first name and close with Best wishes, Love or See you soon.
- 2.Opening: State the purpose of the letter in the first one or two sentences.
- 3.Body: One paragraph per bullet point, in the order given, each with a specific detail (a date, a name, a reason).
- 4.Closing line: Close with the action you want: I would appreciate a reply by Friday, or Let me know when you are free.
- 5.Sign-off: A sign-off that matches the salutation, then your name.
20 letters
All IELTS letter to landlord samples
- Formal letter to landlord regarding heating and waterYou are a student at an English language school in Brighton and are living in private accommodation with other flatmates. You have not had hot water or heating for some time. The landlord's workmen have tried to fix the problem but without success.formal · complaint
- Formal letter to landlord regarding neighbour noise disturbanceYou have been living in a rental apartment for the past year. Recently a new neighbor moved in and has been making a lot of noise, which disturbs you.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to a landlord regarding damaged rental furnitureYou and your family are living in rented accommodation in an English- speaking country. You are not satisfied with the condition of some of the furniture.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to former landlord requesting deposit returnYou paid a refundable deposit when you rented an apartment a year ago. You left the apartment last month in good condition but the landlord won't return your deposit.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to Landlord Explaining Apartment Move-in DelayYou are due to move into a rented apartment next month but you will not be able to because you have some problems.semi-formal · making arrangements
- Letter to landlord regarding a proposed rent increaseYour landlord is asking to increase the rent.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to Landlord Regarding Apartment Maintenance IssuesYou and your family have just rented an apartment and one or two problems occurred.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to Landlord Regarding Damaged Rental FurnitureYou and your family are living in rented accommodation in an English-speaking country. You are not satisfied with the condition of some of the furniture.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to landlord regarding early lease terminationYou need to break your lease agreement early due to unforeseen circumstances.semi-formal · request
- Letter to landlord regarding early tenancy terminationYou live in a flat and you have a tenancy agreement which states that you must give three months' notice when you wish to leave. You have paid a deposit of two months' rent. Now a member of your family has a problem and you need to give up your flat and return home as soon as possible.semi-formal · request
- Letter to landlord regarding moving out and recommendationYou are going to leave your apartment in an English-speaking country and your landlord is a very good person, who has assisted you a lot during your stay. Meanwhile, your friend wants to rent the flat after you.semi-formal · giving information
- Letter to landlord regarding ongoing apartment maintenance issuesYou have been living in an apartment for the last three years. A few problems have emerged in your apartment since the last repair.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to Landlord Regarding Proposed Rent IncreaseYour landlord wants to increase your house rent.semi-formal · request
- Letter to landlord regarding unreturned rental depositYou paid a refundable deposit when you rented an apartment. You left the apartment in good condition but the Landlord won't return your deposit.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to landlord regarding unsatisfactory apartment repair workThe apartment that you have rented was repaired recently. Later you discovered some defects in repairs.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to Landlord Regarding Urgent Apartment RepairsYou have recently shifted to a rental apartment with your family. However, there are some problems with the apartment.formal · complaint
- Letter to landlord regarding urgent heating repairsThe heating system in your rented apartment is broken.semi-formal · complaint
- Letter to Landlord Requesting Lease ExtensionFive months ago, you started renting an apartment on a six-month agreement. You now wish to stay in the apartment for longer than the six months you originally agreed with the owner.semi-formal · request
- Letter to Landlord Requesting Temporary Rent ReductionYou have been a good tenant for years but are experiencing unexpected financial hardship.semi-formal · request
- Letter to landlord requesting urgent property repairsYour rental accommodation was recently damaged due to bad weather.semi-formal · request
Frequently asked questions
Should an IELTS letter to landlord be formal or informal?+
It depends on who you are writing to, not on the purpose. Of the 20 letter to landlords here, 2 formal, 18 semi-formal. From the reader named in the prompt. An unnamed organisation or official is formal; a named person you deal with professionally is semi-formal; a friend or family member is informal.
How should I structure an IELTS letter to landlord?+
Open with the purpose in one sentence, then one paragraph per bullet point in the order given. Close with the action you want: I would appreciate a reply by Friday, or Let me know when you are free.
How many words and how long for the letter?+
At least 150 words in about 20 minutes; 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Leave 40 minutes for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.
How is the letter scored?+
Scored on task achievement (purpose clear, all bullets covered, tone consistent), coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, and grammatical range and accuracy. Task 1 is worth half of Task 2.
Keep going
Other IELTS letter types
- Formal letters · 266
- Semi-Formal letters · 88
- Informal letters · 129
- Complaint letters · 118
- Request letters · 103
- Information letters · 67
- Application letters · 42
- Apology letters · 31
- Advice letters · 28
- Arrangement letters · 25
- Invitation letters · 19
- Thank-You letters · 15
- All IELTS letter samples
- IELTS General Training writing practice
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