Template letters
Free letters from Shelter, Citizens Advice and Which?, sorted by the problem
These letters are written and kept up to date by housing charities, so each link opens their page in a new tab. Read the advice around a letter before you send it: the rules are different in England, Wales and Scotland, and the charity’s page will say what has changed. Nothing you type there comes back here.
England — repairs, private renting
Ask your landlord for repairs or safety checksShelter’s letters for reporting disrepair and asking for gas and electrical safety checks.england.shelter.org.ukAsk for a rent reduction because of repairsFor when the home has been in disrepair and you want money off the rent.england.shelter.org.ukComplain to environmental healthAsk the council to inspect when the landlord will not act.england.shelter.org.ukCitizens Advice — letter to the council about repairsA worked example of the letter asking the council to step in.www.citizensadvice.org.ukNegotiate before court action for repairsThe letter to send before taking a landlord to court over disrepair.england.shelter.org.uk
England — repairs, council and housing association
Ask for repairsReport a repair to a council or housing association landlord.england.shelter.org.ukFollow up when nothing happensChase a repair the landlord has not answered.england.shelter.org.ukThe repair did not fix itTell the landlord the work failed or caused new problems.england.shelter.org.ukReport damp and mouldPut damp and mould in writing to a social landlord.england.shelter.org.ukDamp and mould repair problemsWhen the damp work is late, poor or not done.england.shelter.org.uk
England — deposits
Get a holding deposit backWhen a landlord or agent will not rent to you and keeps the holding deposit.england.shelter.org.ukAsk for your deposit backAt the end of the tenancy, when the deposit has not been returned.england.shelter.org.ukDispute unfair deductionsChallenge money taken off the deposit.england.shelter.org.ukLetter before court action: depositThe last letter before a small claim for the deposit.england.shelter.org.ukDeposit not protected: claim compensationLetters for claiming compensation when the deposit was not protected in time.england.shelter.org.ukWhich? — ask for your deposit backWhich?’s letter for a deposit paid after 6 April 2007, with a Word download.www.which.co.uk
England — rent, harassment and eviction
Challenge a rent increaseTell the landlord a rent increase has to follow the proper legal steps.england.shelter.org.ukPressure to leaveSet out your rights when the landlord or agent is pushing you out.england.shelter.org.ukThreatened with illegal evictionWhat to send when the landlord threatens to evict you without a court order.england.shelter.org.ukFor the police at an illegal evictionA letter to show the police if they side with the landlord.england.shelter.org.uk
England — other problems
Dirty when you moved inAsk for the home to be cleaned.england.shelter.org.ukYour landlord’s name and addressAsk the agent for the landlord’s details, which they must give you.england.shelter.org.ukEnergy and water chargesAsk about the bills when the landlord pays the supplier.england.shelter.org.uk“No benefits” or “no children”Complain about discrimination by a landlord or agent.england.shelter.org.ukBackdate housing benefitAsk the council to backdate a housing benefit claim.england.shelter.org.ukGive notice to end your tenancyAn example notice to quit for a tenancy that rolls on.england.shelter.org.ukReferences for your next homeWrite to past landlords and agents about your renting history.england.shelter.org.ukShelter — every letter templateShelter’s full list, including letters to the council about homelessness.england.shelter.org.uk
Wales
Citizens Advice Wales — letter to the council about repairsThe Welsh version of the letter asking the council to step in.www.citizensadvice.org.ukShelter Cymru — first request for your deposit backA Word letter for contract-holders in Wales. Downloads straight away.sheltercymru.org.ukShelter Cymru — second request for your depositThe follow-up when the first request is ignored. Downloads straight away.sheltercymru.org.ukShelter Cymru — letter before action: deposit refundThe last letter before court for a deposit in Wales. Downloads straight away.sheltercymru.org.uk
Scotland
Shelter Scotland — letters to your landlord or the councilShelter Scotland’s set of repair letter templates.scotland.shelter.org.ukComplain about repairsWhen the landlord has not done the repairs you reported.scotland.shelter.org.ukRepairs done badlyReport work that was not done properly.scotland.shelter.org.ukAsk for a rent reductionAsk for money off the rent while repairs are outstanding.scotland.shelter.org.ukContact environmental healthAsk the council to inspect.scotland.shelter.org.ukLandlord harassmentPut harassment by a landlord in writing.scotland.shelter.org.ukEnd your tenancyTell your landlord you are leaving.scotland.shelter.org.uk
Need a letter that is not here? Ask Shelter’s or Citizens Advice’s advisers, or see the free advice services.
Questions renters ask: How long does a landlord have to do repairs? · How long does a landlord have to return my deposit? · My landlord has changed the locks or told me to get out today. What do I do? · How often can my landlord put the rent up, and how much notice do they have to give? · all questions
Savvy Renter — savvyrenter.co.uk · free tools for renters. Links checked October 2026; if one has moved, the site's own search will find the page.