GT-T1-201 General Training · Task 1 · beginner · 20 min · 150+ words Formal Letter Housing

Letter to a Landlord About a Broken Heater

The question

You rent a small flat, and the heater in your bedroom stopped working three days ago. The nights are now very cold, and you cannot sleep well. Write a letter to your landlord. In your letter: • describe the problem and when you first noticed it • explain what you have already done about it • ask when someone can come to repair the heater Write at least 150 words. You do NOT need to write any addresses. Begin your letter as follows: Dear Sir or Madam,

Instructions

You should spend about 20 minutes on this task. • Use a formal tone: no contractions, and a formal sign-off such as 'Yours faithfully'. • Cover all the points in the bullets, in a clear and logical order. • Organise your letter into short paragraphs with a clear opening and closing. • Keep the tone polite and controlled, even when you are unhappy.

How to approach this formal letter question

A formal letter goes to someone you do not know, such as a manager or a council. Use a polite, impersonal tone and cover every bullet point.

Open with "Dear Sir or Madam," and state your purpose in the first sentence.
Give one paragraph per bullet point with specific details.
Avoid contractions and slang; use polite requests (I would be grateful if...).
Close with "Yours faithfully," and your name.

How to plan this answer

Structure

Opening: keep the given salutation 'Dear Sir or Madam' and state that you are writing about the heater in your bedroom.
Paragraph 2: describe the problem and the day you first noticed it, stating that the heater stopped working three days ago.
Paragraph 3: explain the steps you have already taken, such as checking the thermostat and reporting the fault by phone or email.
Paragraph 4: describe the effect on your sleep and comfort, and request a specific repair visit.
Closing: thank the landlord for their help and sign off 'Yours faithfully'.

Points to cover

When noticed: on the evening you came home, the heater was cold, after it had worked normally the previous week.
Actions taken: you checked the power switch and the thermostat, tried resetting the unit, and left a message with the office on Tuesday.
Effect: the bedroom is very cold at night, so you sleep in extra layers and cannot rest properly.
Request: an engineer visit within two working days, with a confirmed time and a contact number.
Interim support: ask whether a temporary portable heater can be provided while the repair is arranged.

Useful vocabulary

I am writing to report a fault with: I am writing to report a fault with the heater in my bedroom.
I first noticed the problem when: I first noticed the problem when I returned home on Monday evening.
I have already tried: I have already tried resetting the unit and checking the thermostat.
arrange for a qualified engineer to inspect: I would be grateful if you could arrange for a qualified engineer to inspect the heater.
in the meantime: In the meantime, could you advise whether a temporary heater can be provided?
cause considerable inconvenience: The fault is causing considerable inconvenience and discomfort.
at your earliest convenience: Please confirm a repair date at your earliest convenience.
Please confirm in writing: Please confirm in writing when someone will attend.
I look forward to your prompt reply: Thank you for your attention. I look forward to your prompt reply.

Common mistakes

Giving a vague time such as 'a few days ago' rather than stating the exact number of days, as the prompt specifies.
Using contractions such as 'it's' or 'can't', which are not appropriate in a formal letter.
Describing only the problem and not the steps you have already taken, which is a separate bullet.
Ending without a clear request for a specific repair date or time.
Starting with 'Hi' or 'Dear Landlord' instead of the given salutation.

Examiner tip: Follow the three bullets in order, one per paragraph, and close with a clear request for a specific repair date, since that is the outcome you need.

Model answers by band score

Written for this question to show what changes from one band to the next. Try the task yourself first, then compare.

Band 6 answer

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing about the heater in my bedroom which is not working. I live in the flat at 12 River Street and I am very worried about this problem. I first noticed the problem three days ago, on Monday evening. When I turned on the heater, nothing happened and there was no warm air. The nights are very cold now so I can not sleep well and I feel tired in the day. I have already tried to solve the problem by myself. I checked the plug and I changed the fuse, but the heater is still not working. I also tried it in other socket, and the result was the same. I think the heater is broken and it need to be repaired by an expert. I would be very grateful if you could send someone to repair the heater as soon as possible. Could you please tell me when someone can come? I am at home on the evenings and at the weekend, so any of these time is fine for me. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, Daniel Brown

Why this is band 6

Formal register is correct overall: 'Dear Sir or Madam', 'Yours faithfully', polite requests, and no contractions.
All three bullets are covered in a logical order, with a clear request at the end.
Vocabulary is limited and repetitive ('problem', 'not working'), and there are errors such as 'can not', 'in other socket' and 'it need to be'.
Band 7 would offer more precise detail and more varied formal language with fewer slips.

Band 7 answer

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to inform you that the heater in my bedroom has stopped working, and to request that it be repaired as soon as possible. I first noticed the fault on Monday evening, three days ago, when I switched the heater on and no warm air came out. As the nights have become very cold, I have found it difficult to sleep and I am now tired during the day. I have already tried to deal with the problem myself. I checked that the heater was plugged in properly, replaced the fuse and tested the heater in a different socket, but none of these steps made any difference. I therefore believe that the heater itself is faulty and needs to be examined by a qualified engineer. I would be grateful if you could arrange for someone to visit the flat as soon as possible. I am at home every evening after 6 pm and all day on Saturdays, so either would be convenient. If the heater cannot be repaired, please let me know whether it can be replaced. I look forward to hearing from you shortly. Yours faithfully, Daniel Brown

Why this is band 7

Clear, polite and well-organised: purpose in the opening sentence, one paragraph per bullet, and a courteous close.
Good range of formal structures ('request that it be repaired', 'I would be grateful if you could arrange').
The steps already taken are specific and logical, and the availability given makes the request practical.
Band 8 would show more flexible, precise phrasing with no routine templates and more natural cohesion.

Band 8 answer

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to report that the heater in my bedroom has stopped working, and to ask when it can be repaired. I first noticed the fault on Monday evening, three days ago, when I switched the heater on and no warmth came from it at all. With temperatures dropping at night, I have found it almost impossible to sleep properly, and I am beginning to feel the effects at work. In the meantime, I have tried to resolve the matter myself. I made sure the heater was properly connected, replaced the fuse and tested the unit in another socket, but to no avail. I have therefore concluded that the appliance itself is defective and requires inspection by a qualified engineer. I would be most grateful if you could arrange for someone to visit at the earliest opportunity. I am at home after 6 pm on weekdays and throughout Saturday, but I am happy to adapt to whatever suits the engineer. Should the heater prove beyond repair, I would appreciate it if it could be replaced. I look forward to your prompt reply. Yours faithfully, Daniel Brown

Why this is band 8

Tone is polite yet firm, and the register is consistently formal and controlled.
Each bullet is developed with relevant detail (the symptoms, the steps taken, flexible availability).
Precise, flexible vocabulary ('defective', 'to no avail', 'at the earliest opportunity') and natural linking ('In the meantime', 'therefore').
Band 9 would sound completely effortless with no standard formulae, and more subtle expression of urgency.

Band 9 answer

Dear Sir or Madam, I am writing to report that the heater in my bedroom has stopped working and to ask when it might be repaired. I first noticed the fault on Monday evening, three days ago, when I switched the heater on and found that it produced no warmth whatsoever. With temperatures falling sharply at night, I have struggled to get a proper night's sleep, and the lack of rest is beginning to affect my work. In the meantime, I have done what I reasonably can to resolve the matter myself. I confirmed that the heater was correctly connected, replaced the fuse and tried it in a different socket, but none of this made any difference. I have therefore concluded that the unit itself is defective and needs to be inspected by a qualified engineer. I would be most grateful if you could arrange a visit at the earliest opportunity. I am at home after 6 pm on weekdays and throughout Saturday, although I can accommodate the engineer. Should the heater prove beyond repair, I would be obliged if you would consider replacing it. Thank you for your prompt attention. Yours faithfully, Daniel Brown

Why this is band 9

The register is flawlessly formal and polite, firm without being harsh.
All bullets are fully developed with natural, relevant detail and a sensible request for a replacement.
Sophisticated, precise language ('whatsoever', 'accommodate', 'I would be obliged') with seamless cohesion.
Essentially error-free, with a well-judged close that fits the purpose of the letter.

Band levels are our estimate against the public IELTS criteria; they are not official scores.

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