Repair Request Letter: Bathroom Ceiling Leak
1. Your letter
Jordan Lee 412 W Elm St, Apt 2B Chicago, IL 60610 [Your phone number] | [Your email]
[Date]
Dave Ortiz Ortiz Properties [Landlord's mailing address] Sent by email to: management@ortizproperties.example
Re: Request for Repair – Bathroom Ceiling Leak – 412 W Elm St, Apt 2B
Dear Mr. Ortiz,
I am writing to formally request repair of an ongoing leak in my bathroom ceiling. I raised this by text and phone in March, and the leak has not yet been repaired.
The bathroom ceiling leaks whenever the upstairs unit uses their shower. There is a brown water stain about 2 feet wide, and the paint is bubbling and starting to peel. The area smells musty. I have kept a bucket under the leak for about three weeks, and I am concerned about the possibility of mold.
Timeline:
- March 2: I first noticed dripping and the stain on the bathroom ceiling.
- March 3: I texted you a photo and asked you to send someone.
- March 10: You texted back that a plumber would come "this week." No one came or called.
- March 20: I called you and left a voicemail.
- March 24: The stain had grown. I sent another text with a new photo and have not received a reply.
Section 12 of our lease states: "Landlord shall maintain the plumbing, heating, and electrical systems and all fixtures in good and safe working order. Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord in writing of any needed repairs." I am sending this letter as written notice under Section 19 of the lease.
My request: Please have a licensed plumber find and fix the source of the leak, and have the bathroom ceiling repaired and repainted, within 14 days of this letter, by [date]. Because the leak gets worse with each use of the upstairs shower, I would appreciate it if the plumber could come as soon as possible.
I work from home, so access is easy. With one day's notice I can let the plumber or repair crew in. Please contact me at [your phone number] or [your email] to schedule, or to let me know when work will begin.
I appreciate your help and would like to get this resolved quickly. Thank you for your prompt attention.
Sincerely,
Jordan Lee
Enclosures: Photo of ceiling (March 3), photo of ceiling (March 24), copies of text messages (March 3, March 10, March 24)
2. Timeline at a glance
| Date | What happened | Proof you may have |
|---|---|---|
| March 2 [confirm year] | First noticed dripping and the stain on the bathroom ceiling | [add if you have it] |
| March 3 | Texted Dave a photo and asked him to send someone | Text message and photo |
| March 10 | Dave texted that a plumber would come "this week." No one came or called. | Text message from Dave |
| March 20 | Called Dave and left a voicemail | Phone call log [add if you have it] |
| March 24 | Stain was bigger. Sent another text with a new photo. No reply yet. | Text message and new photo |
| [Date] | Sent this written repair request by email (and mail, if used) | Copy of email/letter [keep a copy] |
3. Follow-up letter (if no response)
Jordan Lee 412 W Elm St, Apt 2B, Chicago, IL 60610 [Your phone number] | [Your email]
[Date]
Dave Ortiz, Ortiz Properties [Landlord's mailing address] Sent by email to: management@ortizproperties.example
Re: Second Request for Repair – Bathroom Ceiling Leak – 412 W Elm St, Apt 2B
Dear Mr. Ortiz,
On [date of first letter], I sent you a written request to repair the leak in my bathroom ceiling. I first reported it on March 3. I have not received a response, and no repairs have been made. The leak continues whenever the upstairs shower is used, and the stain, peeling paint, and musty smell remain. [Add any new changes, e.g. "The stain is now about X feet wide."]
I again ask that a licensed plumber find and fix the leak, and that the ceiling be repaired and repainted, by [new date, suggested 7 days from this letter]. I can provide access with one day's notice. Please contact me at [your phone number] or [your email].
I would like to resolve this cooperatively. If I don't hear back by [date], I will look into my options, which may include contacting local housing resources.
Sincerely,
Jordan Lee
Enclosures: Copy of my letter dated [date], [new photos, if any]
4. Before you send: double-check list
- Year: Your dates didn't include a year, so I left them as "March 2," "March 3," and so on. Add the year if you'd like it shown.
- Deadline: I used your 14 days. Since this is an active water leak with a mold concern, you might ask for a faster plumber visit, for example "within 3–5 days," with the ceiling repair to follow within 14 days. That change is up to you.
- Lease wording: Section 12 is quoted exactly as you pasted it. Please check it against your copy of the lease.
- Sending method: Section 19 says notices go by email to management@ortizproperties.example or by mail to "the address below." That address wasn't included in what you pasted, so I left a placeholder. Sending by email to that address follows the lease. Mailing a copy as well, with proof of mailing, gives you an extra record.
- Placeholders to fill in: [Date], [Landlord's mailing address], [Your phone number], [Your email], and the deadline date.
- Enclosures: I listed the two photos and the text messages you mentioned. Remove anything you can't attach. Add a screenshot of your call log for March 20 if you have one.
- Keep copies: Save a copy of everything you send. Take dated photos of the ceiling as things change.
- Mold or legal questions: This letter doesn't cite Chicago or Illinois rules. If you want to understand your options, a local tenant resource or attorney can help.
If anything needs changing, you can use your one free change request.
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