Writing A Hardship Letter To Landlord

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There is one bill that should always be paid, and that is your rent. If you are in a desperate situation and you genuinely cannot pay your bills, then speaking to your landlord is the first thing you must do. Other bills can wait to some degree so long as you are able to keep a roof over your head. And if this means you need to grovel a little bit, then so be it.

Basic Guidelines for Writing a Hardship Letter to Landlord

Hardship is defined as a circumstance beyond your control that causes your income to suddenly change. The key factor is that it is beyond your control. For instance, a forced reduction in hours is classed as hardship, whereas choosing to go part time is not. Similarly, a long standing medical condition does not classify as hardship, whereas developing a sudden illness would be classed as such. Hence, before you write this letter, you have to determine whether or not you are actually experiencing hardship at all.

The second issue is the type of landlord that you have. If you rent from an individual and you are on reasonably friendly terms with him or her, then there is no need for the letter to be overly formal. If, however, you rent from a huge housing association, then you do have to include some formality in your writing. In fact, they may even have a standard form that you have to complete.

Either way, you must make sure that your letter is free from grammatical and spelling errors. It should also be dated and addressed to the right person. Finally, you should keep it short, sticking to just one page if possible. These letters have to be about the facts. All landlords understand that you will be distraught and upset by your hardship, so there is no need to relate a sob story. Rather, you need to explain what has happened to put you in hardship, and what this means in terms of your income, and how long you expect the situation to last.

Content of the Hardship Letter

Make sure that you provide documented evidence about your income and expenditures, and what you have done to ameliorate the situation. For instance, if you have given up on certain leisure activities, or if you have taken on a part time job, you need to discuss this and provide some evidence. One other issue of extreme importance is that hardship is always only supposed to last for a short period of time. Hence, your letter should also discuss a solution for that particular period.

You should, for instance, offer to make reduced payments on your rent (indicate the exact amount and make sure that it is an amount that you can actually afford), and offer to pay for the shortfall later by increasing your rent payments after your hardship situation has been resolved. If at all possible, you need to tell your landlord when you expect this resolution to be in place. Remember to be open and honest at all times. Do not make any promises that you cannot keep and do not place blame on your landlord in any way.

Writing a Hardship Letter Delinquent Rent

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If you are experiencing some sort of hardship, it will have a significant impact on every element of your financial life. This includes your ability to pay your rent. If you don’t pay your rent, your landlord will eventually take out legal action, leading to an eviction notice. You can avoid this by being open and honest about your situation. If you write a detailed hardship letter delinquent rent, which explains why you are in the situation that you are in, there is a chance that your landlord will be sympathetic to your situation.

Why Your Landlord May Agree to Your Request

Generally speaking, taking legal action against a delinquent tenant is very expensive. It also means that once you have been evicted, significant repairs will have to be made on the property and that a new tenant will have to be found. Hence, it is easier for a landlord to give you some leniency if you can demonstrate that your situation is temporary and that you are doing all that you can to change the situation for the better.

Tips on Writing a Hardship Letter Delinquent Rent

  1. Place your landlord’s name and address at the top of the letter, and make sure that you date it. Start your letter formally, using the word “Dear”, followed by the name of your landlord.
  2. Begin by telling your landlord that you are aware of the fact that you are delinquent in your rent and apologize. Make sure that you write down all the positive things that you have done as a tenant during your time in the property. For instance, describe how your apartment has always remained clean and orderly, and that you have always made your payments on time so far, if those are true.
  3. Explain that you are currently experiencing financial hardship, and what has caused this. Make sure that you provide as much detail as possible that explain why your rent is still unpaid. For instance, if you have been in the hospital, facing not just expensive medical bills but also loss of income as a result of not being able to go to work, then you need to include all the relevant data and the costs associated with that.
  4. Only provide facts and be clear and concise. Your landlord is looking for facts, not for emotions. He or she will be able to understand the situation that you are in and you do not need to explain how you feel. Just be sincere and polite, which is what will get you sympathy.
  5. Inform the landlord about your plan for resolving your current situation. Develop an installment plan that you think you can afford. Indicate if you will be missing any future rent payments and, if so, how the shortfall be paid over time. Make sure that you demonstrate that you are proactive, and that you do not foresee the situation to last for a long time. Thank your landlord in advance for understanding the situation and giving you some consideration.

Hardship Letter Delinquent Rent Example

{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Your Phone #}

{Date}

Dear {Landlord Name}:

I find that due to {brief description of hardship}, I am unable to pay next month’s rent by {due date}. These circumstances were unforeseen and a one-time occurrence.

I have always understood the importance of paying my bills in a timely manner, and I would like to be proactive in finding a solution for this unfortunate situation. I would like to request {an installment plan, interest on my next rent, etc.} to make sure that you get the full rental amount as quickly as possible.

I’m sorry to inconvenience you, and I appreciate your understanding during this difficult situation. Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you,

{Sender Name}

Writing A Hardship Letter Debt Settlement

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Although the economic crisis is now officially behind us, many people continue to experience significant economic pressure. If you are facing a lot of debt, you may feel like bankruptcy is the only way out. However, before you file for this, you may want to consider writing a hardship letter debt settlement instead. Typically, this letter is sent for real estate debt, but it can actually be used for any kind of debt.

Avoid a Debt Management Agency If Possible

Experiencing serious financial difficulty is highly distressing and you may be feeling overwhelmed. It may be tempting, therefore, to contact a debt management agency to do the work for you. While these companies have their place in society, you should always consider doing the work yourself first. This is because these companies do not work for free, and all they really do is write on your behalf, collect your money, and distribute it among your creditors. These are things that you can do yourself with ease, so long as you write your letters properly.

Prepare the Relevant Documents

Your first step should be to get all your paperwork in order. Documents you will need include your loan documents, your pay stubs, and any other financial information that clearly demonstrates the difficulties you are in at present. If you do not have a job, you should provide evidence of any Social Security benefits you receive. Should you have been forced to reduce your contracted hours, you should have evidence of this. Do also make sure that you have evidence of all the payments that you did make, for instance, through your bank statements. This will set you in better standing with the creditor.

Write a Formal Letter

In terms of writing the letter itself, you must remember that it is a formal document. Hence, it should be properly addressed to the right person in the right department. You should include your account number in a visible way in the subject line. Additionally, your text should be clear and concise, highlighting precisely what your situation is and what you are proposing. Try to avoid becoming emotional in this, as the creditor is only interested in facts. Do also ask someone to proofread your letter, or reread it yourself the next day to ensure that it is free from grammatical and spelling mistakes.

Indicate Your Settlement Offer

Last but not least, the letter should include your settlement offer. If you want to settle your debt, you have to propose a figure that you feel is appropriate. In most cases, creditors prefer to make some sort of loan modification or adjustment, rather than agreeing to a settlement. However, there is nothing to stop you from trying, and the creditor is always welcome to make a counter offer. Do remember that you should be able to comply with the settlement that you offer should your creditor accept it. If you make promises that you can’t keep, you may find yourself in far greater financial difficulty later on. Be honest, be clear, and show that you are willing to come to a mutual understanding.

For more sample hardship letters and tips, click here.

Hardship Letter Debt Settlement Example

{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Your Phone #}

{Date}

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this letter to request that a payment plan be worked out concerning my debt to {Company}. Due to financial hardship, I cannot meet the current conditions that are required, but I hope that we can come to an agreement.

My current income is {amount} per month, while my debt is {amount}. The income-to-debt ratio is {amount}, which is impossible for me to pay off at this time. If you can forgive {amount}, I can make a monthly payment of {amount} over the next {period of time}.

I am willing to make a sincere effort to settle this account. I ask only that the litigations against me are dropped and that the account is stated as paid in full. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

{Sender Name}

Writing A Hardship Letter To Prevent Eviction

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When times are desperate, you have to do things that you may not have wanted to do, including groveling. This is particularly true for certain things such as your rent. The reality is that some people live from paycheck to paycheck, and the slightest financial upheaval can make everything come tumbling down. There are options out there, such as payday loans, but they are not recommended for obvious reasons. It is better, at least in the first instance, to write to your landlord and ask for some consideration, something that he or she is likely to accept if you have been a good tenant.

Tips for Writing a Hardship Letter to Prevent Eviction

Unlike many other hardship letters, this particular one does not have to be as formal as others, particularly if you have been on friendly terms with your landlord. You do, however, have to make sure that the letter is open and honest. You must explain that you are currently experiencing financial hardship and why.

Although the letter doesn’t have to be overly formal, it does have to be formatted properly. Hence, it should be addressed to the right person and it should be dated as well. A good tip is to address your landlord personally in the letter, as this makes you look more human. You need to think about this situation from a psychological perspective. If you express your gratitude for the kindness and consideration of your landlord, he or she is more likely to show those very traits. However, you also shouldn’t lay it on too thick. Again, it is about being honest and open.

Content of the Hardship Letter

The letter does also have to be factual. Explain exactly what has happened that got you into your current situation of hardship. Examples include unexpected huge medical bills, loss of job, separation, death in the family, and so on. Make sure that you include documented evidence of a change in your income and expenses if applicable. Do also show that you have been proactive in trying to reduce your costs. This will show the landlord that you have tried everything and are truly in a desperate situation.

If you have always paid your rent on time and otherwise been a good tenant, make sure that you mention this in the letter as well. It doesn’t hurt to remind the landlord of the fact that, should you be evicted, it may be difficult to find a good tenant like yourself again. At the same time, you should not put this in a threatening way. At the end of the day, the landlord will be doing you a favor, not the other way around.

Last but not least, make sure the letter proposes a resolution. Explain how long you expect to be in financial difficulty, how much you can pay during that period, and how you intend to make up for the shortfall once your situation has improved. Do not make promises that you will not be able to keep. It is better to offer $5 a month and pay it, than to offer $50 and then realize later that you are unable to pay it.

Writing a Hardship Letter Single Parent

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The finances of a single parent are incredibly complex. Many struggle financially, particularly if the other parent of the children had suddenly left, or had suddenly stopped providing child support payments. If this happens to you, and you have financial obligations, you may want to write a hardship letter single parent.

Describe Your Goal in Writing the Hardship Letter

Your letter should start by explaining what you are hoping to achieve. For instance, you may request debt forgiveness, delay payments, restructure a payment plan, avoid foreclosure, or consolidate your loan. You also have to make sure that you provide clarity on which financial obligation you are experiencing difficulty in paying, such as medical bills, credit cards, car loans, personal loan, or mortgage.

Highlight the Fact that You Are a Single Parent

You should then highlight that you are a single parent and provide details of your children. Make sure that you include their names and dates of birth, so that it is clear how many children you are caring for as well. You should then explain that the children’s other parent is no longer reachable and that you are not receiving child support payments. Stress whether or not such payments have been received before. Make it clear that your income (specify your income) is not sufficient to provide your children with the necessary home, food, and shelter.

Explain Why You Did Not Experience Difficulties Before

Go on to explain why you did not have difficulties in the past. Perhaps you had a high enough salary, but now have been forced to accept a reduction in hours. Perhaps the other parent sent child support payments in the past. Perhaps one of your children has had a change of circumstances. For instance, a particular child may require special care, is moving to college, or has been diagnosed with a disability or illness. Explain that these circumstances have placed you in some difficulty and that, since your children come first, you want to do whatever you can to make sure they get what they need.

Ask the Creditor for Assistance

Last but not least, ask your creditor for assistance and to understand the difficult situation you have found yourself in. Make sure that you attach any documented proof of the problems you are facing, such as letters from school, income stubs, bank statements, mortgage statements, and doctors’ letters. Detail your circumstances as much as possible and, if you want your mortgage to be deferred, highlight that you do want to remain in your property. Don’t forget to include a plan of action to be able to repay the debt that you now owe. Lastly, make it clear what you are actually asking for – stopping payments altogether, having lower monthly payments, freezing the interest rates, and so on.

Creditors understand that negative situations do happen. If you can demonstrate that you have done all you can to ameliorate the situation, that there have been circumstances beyond your control, and that you are not spending on frivolities like vacations and other non-essential bills, then it is likely that your creditor will consider your request.

Hardship Letter Single Parent Example

{Your Name}
{Your Address}
{Your Phone #}

{Date}

To Whom It May Concern:

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to try to {consolidate my loan, avoid foreclosure, restructure a payment plan, delay payment, request debt forgiveness} for {my mortgage, my personal loan, car loan, credit card bill, medical bill etc.}.
I am a single parent to {number} children: {Name}, aged {age} and {Name}, aged {age}. Their {father/mother} is not in the picture and stopped paying the court-mandated child support on {date}. Therefore, I have been providing a home, food and shelter for them on one income of {amount} per year.

In the past, my salary has been enough to adequately provide for my children. However, as of {date}, {new circumstance such as child going to college, child being diagnosed with illness/disability, child requiring special care}. This has put me in a difficult situation, as my children come first in my life and I would do anything to make sure they’re cared for.

I would like to ask your assistance in this difficult situation. I have attached {doctor’s note/bank statement/income stub/letter from school} detailing my circumstances. {If this is for a mortgage, specify whether you’d like to stay in your home, or whether the home is up for sale already. For any other loan, come up with some sort of plan for repayment, such as lower payments each month, a lower interest rate, etc., and suggest it here.}
I am hoping that we can work out some sort of solution as quickly as possible. Please contact me immediately so that we can begin this process.

Sincerely,

{Sender Name}