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Put the request in writing: describe the defect precisely, name the date it started, cite the repair duty in your lease or local housing code, set a reasonable deadline (sooner for emergencies), and send it in a way that proves delivery, keeping a copy for yourself. A paper trail is what makes a complaint hard to ignore.
In many states and provinces, the landlord's legal duty to repair is triggered specifically by written notice, and a casual text thread may not count as notice even if the landlord read it. A mailed letter with proof of delivery establishes three facts a text cannot: exactly what you asked for, exactly when you asked, and that the landlord received it. If the dispute ever reaches a housing inspector, a mediator, or a court, the letter is the version of events that survives. Send it to the address the lease names for notices, not just the landlord's cell phone: leases often specify a notice address, and sending to the wrong address can mean you never gave proper notice at all.
Match the deadline to the severity. Emergencies (no heat in winter, a burst pipe, sewage backup, no hot water, a broken front-door lock) justify calling first and following up in writing the same day, with a deadline measured in hours to a day. Major problems (a leak, a broken appliance the landlord supplied, pest issues) get a few days to a week. Cosmetic issues (chipped paint, a dripping tap you can live with) get a longer, stated window.
| Severity | Examples | What the letter should ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | No heat, burst pipe, sewage backup, no hot water, broken exterior lock | Call first, then confirm in writing the same day; set the deadline in hours, not days |
| Major | Active leak, broken supplied appliance, mold, pest infestation | Written request with a deadline of a few days; note the health or damage angle |
| Routine | Dripping faucet, chipped paint, sticking window | Written request with a stated window; this is the category most likely to be scheduled, not rushed |
Two things to leave out of the letter. Do not threaten to withhold rent or fix the problem yourself and deduct the cost: many states restrict or forbid repair-and-deduct, and some cap it, so an unauthorized deduction can get you an eviction notice for nonpayment. And do not let the lease talk you out of a habitability repair: in many states, the duty to keep a unit livable cannot be waived by a lease clause, even if the lease tries.
The paper trail you built is now your tool. First, send a follow-up letter referencing the first one by date and restating the deadline: landlords who ignored a text sometimes move when they see a dated record. Second, check your state or province's process: many jurisdictions let you call a housing or building inspector, who can order the repair, and several allow tenants to file in small claims court for orders or damages. The inspection route is often the fastest because an inspector's order carries its own deadline and penalties.
Keep every receipt, every letter, and every photo of the defect. Tenants lose repair disputes mostly by having no documentation, not by having weak facts. The letter you mailed is the foundation of that file.
This is general information, not legal advice.
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