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For tenants · All 50 states + DC

Put it in writing: two letters tenants send themselves

Most tenant rights start with a written notice the landlord actually received. Pick the letter, enter your state and the facts, and print a letter you can send by certified mail today.

Which letter do you need?

Break-Lease Letter ($12). Written notice that you are ending the lease early, and why. It gives your move-out date, asks the landlord to re-rent the unit and arrange an inspection, and asks for your deposit back at your forwarding address. It has wording for military orders (the federal SCRA), domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, failure to repair, and an agreed early end. For the notice rules in your state, see the notice period calculator.

Repair Demand Letter ($15). Formal written notice of the conditions that need repair, citing your state's repair-duty law, with a repair-by date. Written notice is usually the step every other remedy depends on. The letter deliberately does not threaten to withhold rent or deduct repair costs. Those remedies have strict procedures, and getting one wrong can be treated as not paying rent. The guidance delivered with the letter explains what your state allows and the risks.

Common questions

Can I just stop paying rent until repairs are made?
In most states, no. Unpaid rent is grounds for eviction even when the landlord is in the wrong. A few states allow withholding or paying rent into a court escrow account, but only after specific written notice. Keep paying rent until you have confirmed the procedure for your state.
Does LeaseHelper send the letter for me?
No. You print it and send it yourself, ideally by certified mail with a return receipt, so you can prove the landlord received it.
What if the letter doesn't work?
For unreturned deposits, repair costs and rent reductions, small claims court is usually the next step. Every letter ends with a link to prepare your small claims forms.
Information and letters you send yourself, not legal advice. LeaseHelper is a document service, not a law firm. Repair-law citations are compiled and are being checked against the current statutes. Confirm yours before relying on it.