Sample Letter: Negotiating A Rent Reduction As Compensation


(DATE)

Dear (Landlord's Name),

I have withheld my rent for the past two months while waiting for the necessary repairs to be made on my apartment.  I spoke with you and wrote to you about these problems on numerous occasions before withholding my rent.

Now that all of the repairs have been made, I am ready to settle.  Enclosed is a check for $XXX, the balance of which is my rent reduction for having lived with these problems for so long.  I calculated this amount by deducting $XXX for each day that I lived with (problem).  I also deducted $XXX for my (property item), which was damaged during the repairs.

You cannot evict me for not paying this money, because it is not unpaid rent.  It is disputed money.  You cannot deduct it from my security deposit, for the same reason.  If you disagree with the amount I withheld, please contact me.

I hope that in the future we can deal with repair problems with greater ease.

Sincerely,

(Name of Tenant)


For more information on writing sample letters to resolve problems with your landlord you can view other articles on this site: Sample Letter 1: Withholding Rent, Sample Letter 2: Demanding Repairs, Sample Letter 3: Demanding Return of Security Deposit, Sample Letter 4: Disputing A Late Fee, and Sample Letter 5: Disputing Deductions From Security Deposit.


To learn more about housing rights in Michigan and where to get help:    

Consult the Michigantenants.org website for local housing resources and tenant counseling services. 

Consult the Michiganlegalaid.org website for legal education articles and local service information.

If you received court papers or otherwise need free or low cost legal advice:

This article appears courtesy of the Michigan Tenants Counseling Program.