Letter to Landlord
as Defense Against Eviction

You may have legal reason to write a letter to landlord as defense against eviction.

Eviction notices require a certain amount of time for the tenant to respond. Refer to our Renters Rights page for information. Perhaps it can be easily remedied such as payment of rent or repairs to damages.

Maybe you are withholding rent due to repairs not being done by the landlord and you've followed proper procedure (see Letter to Landlord). Next thing you receive an eviction notice from your landlord (which may be seen as a retaliatory action). So you need to write a 

Letter to Landlord as Defense Against Eviction

TO:    __________________________

         __________________________

         __________________________

With reference to the Eviction Notice from the following property:

___________________________________________________

I received your eviction notice that I vacate this property within ________ days.

I have acted within the law by withholding rent due to your not fulfilling your legal obligations as a landlord.

As defense I will be submitting copies of the letters to you requesting necessary repairs to be made, which you failed to do. I also have proof that you did indeed receive those letters.

I also have proof of the money paid into escrow of which I duly notified you by registered mail.

As such I will not be vacating the property and will defend this eviction claim should you take me to court.

For further discussion you can contact my lawyer:

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

Sincerely,

______________________                       _______________________

Tenant                                                           Date

As with all letters to landlord my advice is to send it by registered mail and to retain proof of mailing and copies of letters.

If you have not broken the terms of your rental agreement and acted within the law as a tenant you have the right to dispute eviction and can write a Letter to Landlord as Defense Against Eviction.