Proving notice, casually.
October 6, 2005 9:36 PM Subscribe
How do you give written notice so that it seems more casual then a legal matter.
I want to give my landlord instuctions to fix some things in my apartment, but I don't want to seem threatening or demanding. However, I want to be able to prove that I gave notice if something does go awry. Email is not an option, fax perhaps, and of course mail is as well.
I want to give my landlord instuctions to fix some things in my apartment, but I don't want to seem threatening or demanding. However, I want to be able to prove that I gave notice if something does go awry. Email is not an option, fax perhaps, and of course mail is as well.
Mail would be the best option. Handwritten would seem more casual than typed. Walk it into the post office, and for 95ยข you can get a receipt confirming both addresses with a postmark. Unlike certified or registered mail, the recipient will never know you have this receipt -- so you don't have to worry it might send the wrong message. Hopefully you'll never need it.
posted by cribcage at 9:53 PM on October 6, 2005
posted by cribcage at 9:53 PM on October 6, 2005
I'd add to idiotfactory's letter the date you are writing, and a reasonable range of dates when the work could be performed (i.e. "I'd appreciate it if you could perform the work sometime over the course of next week, between the 10th and the 17th") and a request that they contact you if that will pose a problem.
posted by justonegirl at 10:52 PM on October 6, 2005
posted by justonegirl at 10:52 PM on October 6, 2005
Another way to bolster a future claim that a maintenance request was made and received is to include the correspondence with your rent check (which has a way of being received and cashed promptly). You could even note on the memo line "repair request included". It might not support your case on its own, but if it comes down to it later it would be a good data point to include in your case (along with a mailing reciept). And keep a copy of the note for yourself!
posted by handful of rain at 6:48 AM on October 7, 2005
posted by handful of rain at 6:48 AM on October 7, 2005
Best answer: If you're still in a nicey-nicey phase, I'm not sure I'd bother. Just call them up and ask. Get a date. Then follow up if they don't show with something in writing:
Dear Landlord Co.,
I spoke with Stacy on Monday, October 32, and asked her to have maintenance look at my heater. Stacy assured me this could take place by October 39 at the latest, but as of this writing nothing has been done. I am very concerned about the onset of winter, and I know you don't want to violate code which requires a minimum 60° temperature in habitable buildings. Please let me know immediately when this will be fixed so that I don't need to take further action.
Signed,
Bigmusic
cc: Bigmusic's Lawyer
Send that certified. It might seem too much, but you've tried them and they lied at this point, and it hasn't created an enormous delay.
Unfortunately there isn't much gray area between "asking nicely" and "seeming threatening or demanding". But this is "polite but firm". Really, the threatening or demanding tenants yell and scream at people, go down to the offices, find home phone numbers, and things like that. Polite but firm is a breath of fresh air to big RE management cos.
posted by dhartung at 7:43 PM on October 7, 2005
Dear Landlord Co.,
I spoke with Stacy on Monday, October 32, and asked her to have maintenance look at my heater. Stacy assured me this could take place by October 39 at the latest, but as of this writing nothing has been done. I am very concerned about the onset of winter, and I know you don't want to violate code which requires a minimum 60° temperature in habitable buildings. Please let me know immediately when this will be fixed so that I don't need to take further action.
Signed,
Bigmusic
cc: Bigmusic's Lawyer
Send that certified. It might seem too much, but you've tried them and they lied at this point, and it hasn't created an enormous delay.
Unfortunately there isn't much gray area between "asking nicely" and "seeming threatening or demanding". But this is "polite but firm". Really, the threatening or demanding tenants yell and scream at people, go down to the offices, find home phone numbers, and things like that. Polite but firm is a breath of fresh air to big RE management cos.
posted by dhartung at 7:43 PM on October 7, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
Hey landlord,
The heater is on the fritz. Can you send out a maintenance man to check it out? I'm freezing. Also, the sink is dripping and there is an infestation of koalas. I'll be home tomorrow at 4, let me know.
Thanks,
Bigmusic
posted by idiotfactory at 9:47 PM on October 6, 2005