IELTS HUB
Formal Complaint Letter #288
GT Writing Task 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task.

You paid a refundable deposit when you rented an apartment a year ago. You left the apartment last month in good condition but the landlord won't return your deposit.

Write a letter to the landlord. In your letter,

  • introduce yourself and say why you are writing
  • ask for the return of your deposit
  • inform the landlord of possible action if he/she does not agree to refund the amount

Write at least 150 words.

You do NOT need to write any addresses at the top of your letter.

Begin your letter as follows: Dear ……………,

One box per bullet, then compare with Band 9.
157 words · 3 body paragraphs
Salutation

Dear [Landlord's Name],

Opening

I hope this letter finds you well.

Bullet 1

introduce yourself and say why you are writing

My name is [Your Name], and I am writing to address an issue regarding the refundable deposit I paid when I rented your apartment a year ago. I recently vacated the apartment in good condition, meeting all the terms of our rental agreement.

Bullet 2

ask for the return of your deposit

I kindly request the return of my deposit as I fulfilled all obligations as a tenant and left the apartment in the same state as when I moved in. It is important to me to receive the deposit promptly as it rightfully belongs to me.

Bullet 3

inform the landlord of possible action if he/she does not agree to refund the amount

If the deposit is not returned within a reasonable timeframe, I may have to consider taking legal action to ensure its return. I believe that a resolution can be reached amicably, and I hope to avoid any unnecessary complications.

Closing

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to a positive response. Thank you for your cooperation.

Go further with the books

General Task 1

Master IELTS Letters

Guide + Templates + Useful Lines

₹299$9.99CAD 13.99AUD 14.99£7.99NZD 16.99€8.99AED 39SGD 12.99

Free preview

Writing Task 2

100 Essential IELTS Essays

Band 9 Sample Answers for the Real Exam

₹199$6.99CAD 8.99AUD 9.99£4.99NZD 10.99€5.99AED 24SGD 8.99

Free preview

Kit · 3 books + 1 marked essay

Writing 7 Kit

Writing 7.0 is CLB 9 for Canada PR. The strategy to break the 6.5 ceiling, the mistakes that cost marks, the vocabulary that lifts Lexical Resource, then one essay marked to check you are there.

₹799$26.99CAD 37.99AUD 39.99£20.99NZD 45.99€23.99AED 99SGD 34.99 ₹1,296$43.96CAD 60.96AUD 65.96£33.96NZD 73.96€38.96AED 166SGD 56.96

Next question: You live in a high-rise building, which has a communal laundry room. Sometimes people don't come in time to empty the machines and other residents have to wait for a washer or dryer. You think the building management should purchase 10 extra laundry baskets and make them available for such times, so the machines can be freed up.