June 27, 2026 · 3 min read

How to Write a Maintenance Request That Gets Results

Your AC broke in July. You texted the landlord. No response. You texted again. Still nothing. Here's the thing — a professional, written maintenance request is legally harder to ignore than an angry text.

Why Written Requests Work Better

Under most state landlord-tenant laws, you must notify the landlord in writing before you can exercise remedies like repair-and-deduct. A text might not count. A dated, signed letter does. It also creates a paper trail if you end up in court.

What to Include

Your name and unit number. The exact issue — be specific ("the kitchen sink has been leaking since June 15, causing water damage to the cabinet below"). Photos if possible. When you first noticed it. Previous attempts to contact the landlord. A clear request — "Please arrange repairs within 7 days."

Know Your Rights

Most states require landlords to fix issues that affect health and safety (heat, water, electricity) within a reasonable time — usually 7-30 days. For non-emergency repairs, the timeline is longer. If they fail to act, you may have the right to repair-and-deduct or even break the lease.