Edublog - Tenant & Landlord Disputes: 14 Common Tenant Complaints
Updated: 5 days ago
Tenant & Landlord Disputes
14 Common Tenant Complaints
Tenant & Landlord Disputes
A tenant is someone who rents a home from a landlord, and a landlord is the person who owns or manages the property. Sometimes, living conditions are not perfect, and tenants need to make a complaint. Landlords are legally and morally responsible for addressing and fixing these issues. However, tenants and landlords sometimes have disputes, which are also called disagreements. In a dispute, the tenant wants the landlord to fix a problem right away, but the landlord might disagree or take too long to solve it. Knowing how to communicate effectively is important for solving these housing problems peacefully and successfully.
Types of Homes That People Rent
People who rent live in many different types of homes, depending on their lifestyle, budget, and location. Some renters choose standalone buildings with private yards, while others live in structures that share walls or floors with neighbouring residents. There are also multi-unit properties managed by property companies, as well as individual spaces located inside or alongside other properties. The type of home a person rents can vary greatly from one neighbourhood to another, and each option comes with its own unique living environment and maintenance needs. Here are 4 types of homes that people choose to rent:
Type of home #1
A Single Detached House
Explanation: A single detached house is a home that stands alone and is not connected to any other house. This type of home is perfect for families who want privacy. It has its own yard and walls that don’t touch any other house. You can walk all around it!
Type of home #2
A Semi-Detached House
Explanation: A semi-detached house is a home that is joined to another house on one side. Imagine two houses that share one wall in the middle. Each side is a separate home, but they are connected like twins. It’s great for neighbours who want to live close together.
Type of home #3
A Townhouse
Explanation: A townhouse is a home that is part of a row of houses joined together. Townhouses are built in a line, and each one shares walls with the houses next to it. They are usually smaller than detached houses and are common in cities.
Type of home #4
An Apartment Building
Explanation: An apartment building is a tall building with many homes inside, called apartments. Each apartment is one home in a big building. People live in separate units, but they share things like hallways, elevators, and sometimes laundry rooms.
Conversational Vocabulary To Use When Making A Complaint
When tenants have issues, problems, or concerns in their homes, they need to use phrases that explain what is wrong. There are a few common phrases that tenants can use to complain and ask for help politely. Below is a list of common phrases that tenants might use when complaining about different kinds of issues. Each phrase is simple and clear, making it easier for landlords to understand their tenants' concerns.
"I have a complaint."
"There is an issue."
"I have a problem."
"I am worried."
"This is urgent."
"I need help with this problem."
"Please look into this situation."
"Please check this out."
"Please investigate this problem further."
"This needs to be repaired."
"I need help with this situation."
"Please let me know when this can be fixed."
"I am not happy with this situation."
"This situation is not good."
"This problem is ongoing."
"This problem needs to be repaired."
"This needs to be resolved as soon as possible."
"This is unacceptable, and the situation must be resolved."
"I feel worried / disappointed / irritated / upset / disgusted / unsafe / angry / outraged / scared / agitated / anxious / concerned / frustrated / bothered."
Common Tenant Complaints
When tenants have problems in their rented homes, they often need to tell their landlord about what is wrong. Complaining is a way to ask for help with fixing issues. There are 14 common tenant complaints.
Neglected Landscape
Dirty Common Areas
Parking Issues
Noisy Neighbours
Unsupervised Children
Unpleasant Smells
Issues With Animals
Pest Infestations
Inadequate Heating Or Cooling
Maintenance Delays
Damage To Common Areas
Safety Concerns
Privacy Invasion
Difficulty Reaching The Landlord
Requesting Timely Repairs from Your Landlord
It is very important for a tenant to ask a landlord to repair something by a certain date or time because it helps both parties know what to expect. When a repair is scheduled by a specific time, the tenant can plan their day and have the problem repaired at a convenient time. Also, when the landlord schedules a repair date and time, it ensures that complaints and issues are resolved, and it keeps the building well-maintained.
Here are a few different ways a tenant can ask for a repair to be done by a certain date or time:
"Please fix it as soon as possible."
"Please attend to this matter right away."
"Could you repair it by the end of today?"
"I request that the repair be completed by 5 PM today."
"Can you resolve this issue by this afternoon?"
"I need the repair to be finished by this evening."
"Please see to it before noon tomorrow."
"I require that the repair be done by the following day."
"Kindly have it repaired within 24 hours."
"Please address this issue by Friday of this week."
"Please ensure the repair is done by the end of the week."
"Can you take care of it by next month?"
"Can you make sure it is fixed by the agreed date?"
"It is important that the repair is done by the agreed time."
"I ask that you fix the issue by the time we agreed on."
Video: 14 Common Tenant Complaints
14 Common Tenant Complaints & Examples Of Functional Conversational Phrases
Tenant Complaint #1
Neglected Landscape
Neglected Landscape:
A neglected landscape means that the outdoor gardens, lawns, and green spaces are not maintained properly. This complaint is common when tenants feel that the outdoor area is untidy and uninviting.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel very disappointed when the landscape on the property is uncared for. Some examples of the landscape being neglected include the grass not being cut regularly, flower beds, shrubs, and trees being overgrown, and walkways being cluttered with dirt, overgrown weeds, and debris.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Neglected Landscape:
"My garden is overgrown and messy."
"I see weeds everywhere."
"The lawn needs cutting."
"Please fix the landscape."
"The landscape looks very neglected."
Tenant Complaint #2
Dirty Common Areas
Dirty Common Areas:
Dirty common areas refer to the shared spaces in a building that are not kept clean. Tenants often complain when hallways, lobbies, or laundry rooms are unclean.
Complaint Example:
Tenants may feel disgusted and irritated when dirt and dust accumulate in the lobby, trash is left and not cleaned up in the hallway, stairs are not swept, elevator areas might be grubby, and the shared laundry room is filthy.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Dirty Common Areas:
"There is a lot of mud and dirt in the entrance of the building."
"The hallway carpet is very dirty."
"There is garbage on the floor of the elevator."
"The laundry room is completely filthy."
"Can you please arrange for the property to be properly cleaned as soon as possible?"
Tenant Complaint #3
Parking Issues
Parking Issues:
Parking issues arise when there are problems related to reserved or available parking spaces. This complaint is made when tenants cannot find a clear place to park.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel outraged when they drive home after a long day at work, they get home, and they cannot find a parking spot because someone else is parked in their reserved parking spot. This is a very common and frustrating tenant complaint. Some other parking complaints include the parking lot being too small for all tenants, vehicles continuously blocking entry or exit access, markings on the parking lot may be unclear, and parking areas being poorly organized.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Parking Issues:
"I am unable to find a parking spot on the property."
"My reserved parking spot is always taken by someone else."
"There are not enough parking spots on the property."
"Other vehicles are blocking the entrance to the parking lot every afternoon."
"It is unacceptable that I am unable to find a parking spot when I get home from a long day of work."
Tenant Complaint #4
Noisy Neighbours
Noisy Neighbours:
Noisy neighbours can make a home very uncomfortable. This complaint happens when there is too much sound coming from adjacent homes or the common areas.
Complaint Example:
Tenants may feel very angry when there are loud noises on the property, such as music that is playing loudly late at night, neighbours having noisy family gatherings, neighbours shooting fireworks very late at night, footsteps, and loud voices that are heard clearly.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Noisy Neighbours:
"I am unable to sleep at night because of the loud noises."
"My neighbour plays music very loudly at night."
"I cannot work from home because my neighbours' TV is always so loud."
"My refrigerator is making a very loud and obnoxious noise."
"I hear loud banging noises every morning due to my neighbour running on a treadmill."
Tenant Complaint #5
Unsupervised Children
Unsupervised Children:
Unsupervised children in common areas can create safety and cleanliness issues. Tenants may complain when children are left to play without adult supervision.
Complaint Example:
Some tenants may feel agitated when children are playing and making lots of noise in the hallways, leaving toys scattered in the corridor, which can cause a tenant to accidentally fall, drawing on the walls of the property with crayons and markers, and playing a game called Ding Dong Ditch where kids disturb tenants by knocking on doors and running away repeatedly.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Unsupervised Children:
"The hallway is messy because there are toys everywhere."
"The kids are colouring all over the walls of the corridor."
"The children are yelling and screaming in the hallways all day long."
"The kids keep knocking on my door and running away."
"Please ask the children's parents to watch them."
Tenant Complaint #6
Unpleasant Smells
Unpleasant Smells:
Unpleasant smells are a common complaint when bad odours make a building uncomfortable. This can happen due to poor waste management, smoking, or lingering food smells.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel bothered by persistent smells. These smells might be cooking smells that fill the hallways, smoking smells from a neighbour who smokes, musty smells that come from damp areas on the property, pet smells from neighbours that have animals, and garbage smells from garbage that is left in the hallway.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Unpleasant Smells:
"The hallway smells like garbage all the time."
"There is a strong, bad odour in the building."
"I notice that there is an unpleasant smell in the hallway."
"I think the neighbour next door is smoking because everything smells like smoke."
"Could you please check where the bad smell is coming from?"
Tenant Complaint #7
Issues With Animals
Issues with Animals:
Issues with animals occur when pets or stray animals cause disturbances in the living environment. Tenants might complain about excessive noise, odours, or mess from animals.
Complaint Example:
Tenants may feel irritated by loud barking noises from dogs, and this can affect the peace in the building. Pets such as cats, dogs, bunnies, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, birds, snakes, or mice that are not properly cared for by their owners can cause very bad smells and other disturbances on the property, which the landlord would be obligated to mediate and resolve.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Issues With Animals:
"I hear barking all day and all night long."
"The dog is making too much noise."
"Dog waste is not being cleaned up around the property."
"The smell from the dirty cat litter that is not being cleaned up is too strong."
"The animals are running around freely and disturbing the hallway area."
Tenant Complaint #8
Pest Infestations
Pest Infestations:
Pest infestations are a serious concern when insects or rodents invade a living space. This complaint is made when tenants are worried about hygiene and health.
Complaint Example:
Tenants may feel disgusted if cockroaches or other bugs are spotted in common areas; ants invade food storage areas such as kitchens, or rodents might be seen throughout the property. Infestations are a serious complaint that landlords must take seriously and resolve the issue as soon as possible. These types of complaints can cause tenants sleepless nights, and repeated pest problems can lead to health concerns.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Pest Infestations:
"I saw a rat running around in the hallway."
"I found cockroaches in my bathroom."
"There are many ants in my kitchen, and I cannot get rid of them."
"I am worried about this infestation."
"Please call pest control."
"This situation with pests is a health issue."
Tenant Complaint #9
Inadequate Heating Or Cooling
Inadequate Heating or Cooling:
Inadequate heating or cooling creates discomfort for tenants in extreme weather. This complaint occurs when the systems in a home do not work as expected.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel agitated when the heater does not warm the property up effectively during the cold winter months, or when the air conditioner does not cool off the property effectively during the hot summer months.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Inadequate Heating Or Cooling:
"The heater does not warm my apartment."
"It is too cold in my apartment because the heater is not working."
"The air conditioner does not cool my apartment."
"The AC stopped working, and now I feel uncomfortable in my home because I am too hot."
"Please fix this situation as soon as possible."
Tenant Complaint #10
Maintenance Delays
Maintenance Delays:
Maintenance delays refer to situations where necessary repairs are not carried out in a timely manner. Tenants complain when problems linger without a solution.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel concerned when they have maintenance issues not repaired or replaced for days or weeks. Some important maintenance issues include a leaky faucet, a broken window, a faulty appliance, a broken door lock, or a moldy wall. It can be very frustrating and concerning when these maintenance issues are delayed or ignored by the landlord.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Maintenance Delays:
"This repair is taking too long."
"I called you two days ago to tell you that my refrigerator stopped working."
"I informed you that my door lock was broken days ago."
"I have been complaining about my leaky faucet for weeks."
"I told you that my window broke days ago. Your delayed response is unacceptable."
Tenant Complaint #11
Damage To Common Areas
Damage to Common Areas:
Damage to common areas includes any form of destruction or defacement in shared spaces. This complaint is made when there is visible damage that is not repaired.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel very frustrated when they have to deal with damage to common areas such as walls that have graffiti, playground equipment or furniture in shared areas that are broken, elevators are out of service, the residential swimming pool is unmaintained, the flooring in hallways is damaged, and lighting fixtures are not functioning.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Damage To Common Areas:
"The light in the hallway is not turning on."
"The elevator stopped working."
"The hallway wall needs to be painted."
"This broken playground is a safety hazard."
"The hallway carpet should be replaced."
Tenant Complaint #12
Safety Concerns
Safety Concerns:
Safety concerns arise when tenants feel that the building is not secure enough for them. They complain when potential hazards exist that threaten their well-being.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel scared when there is no lighting in the entrance areas, no lighting in hallways due to burnt-out lights, broken locks and windows within the property, or when emergency exits are blocked. Tenants should contact their landlord as soon as possible if they have any safety concerns.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Safety Concerns:
"The entrance to the building is poorly lit."
"The broken entrance lock is worrying me."
"The emergency exits are blocked on my floor."
"The entrance door is left unlocked, and this concerns me."
"I do not feel safe on the property because of this situation."
Tenant Complaint #13
Privacy Invasion
Privacy Invasion:
Privacy invasion occurs when tenants feel that their personal space is not respected. This complaint appears when there is too much intrusion into private areas.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel anxious and irritated when their privacy is being invaded by the landlord if the landlord makes many unscheduled visits without notice. Another privacy invasion situation is cameras being placed inappropriately throughout the property.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Privacy Invasion:
"Please let me know ahead of time when you come by."
"I am requesting that you make scheduled visits to the property."
"Please do not enter the apartment without asking me first."
"I prefer that you call first before coming in."
"Your unscheduled visits make me feel nervous."
Tenant Complaint #14
Difficulty Reaching The Landlord
Difficulty Reaching The Landlord:
Difficulty reaching the landlord is a common complaint when tenants cannot get in touch with the property owner. This creates frustration and feelings of neglect.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel outraged when they try to contact the landlord and their calls go unanswered, their emails and text messages are not replied to, they receive no follow-up communication, and setting up meetings with the landlord is very hard to arrange.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Difficulty Reaching The Landlord:
"I cannot reach you by phone."
"My emails go unanswered."
"I need a way to contact you quickly."
"I feel ignored in my concerns."
"Please provide better communication."
8 Methods for Making Complaints
Complaining is important because it can help us solve problems and make things better. Because people communicate in different ways, there are many different channels you can use. Here are 8 different ways a tenant can make a complaint to a landlord:
Method For Making A Complaint #1
Talking In Person
(Face-To-Face)
Explanation: You speak directly to your landlord or property manager face-to-face. This is great for showing them a problem immediately (like a water leak), but it is important to follow up with a written note so you both remember what was discussed.
Example: You see your building superintendent in the hallway and say, "Hi John, the light in the front hallway is burned out. Could you please change the bulb today?"
Method For Making A Complaint #2
Composing An Email Of Complaint
Explanation: You send an email to your landlord. This is a very common and effective method because it creates a digital paper trail with the exact date and time you reported the problem.
Example: You email your landlord: "Hello, my kitchen sink has been dripping since Tuesday. Please send a plumber to fix it this week."
Method For Making A Complaint #3
Writing A Letter Of Complaint
Explanation: You write a formal letter on paper and mail or hand-deliver it to your landlord's office. Tenants usually use this for serious legal or financial issues (like a rent dispute) where formal documentation is very important.
Example: You mail a formal letter to your property management company about ongoing loud noise from your neighbour late at night, asking them to enforce the building rules.
Method For Making A Complaint #4
Sending A Text Message
Explanation: You send a quick SMS text message from your phone. This is convenient for fast communication with private landlords who prefer texting over formal emails.
Example: You text your landlord: "Hi Sarah, the front door lock is stuck again. Can you please come look at it when you have a minute?"
Method For Making A Complaint #5
Speaking On The Phone
Explanation: You call your landlord or the maintenance hotline to talk in real-time. It is fast if you need an urgent repair, but it is smart to write down the date, time, and name of the person you spoke with.
Example: You call your property management office and say, "Hello, the heating in my apartment stopped working, and it is very cold. I need someone to come fix it right away."
Method For Making A Complaint #6
Filling Out An Online Complaint Form
Explanation: You log into your apartment building's tenant portal website to submit a maintenance request form. It is easy because the form guides you to fill in all the details the management team needs.
Example: You log into your tenant portal, click "Maintenance Request," choose "Broken Window," and type in your unit number and a description of the cracked glass.
Method For Making A Complaint #7
Using Social Media
Explanation: You tag your large property management company in a public post on a platform like X (Twitter) or Facebook. Tenants sometimes try this if the landlord ignores private messages, because public posts force companies to reply quickly to protect their reputation.
Example: You post on a rental company's public page: "@BigCityRentals My elevator has been broken for three days, and nobody is answering my emails. Please fix this!"
Method For Making A Complaint #8
Leaving A Review On A Website
Explanation: You write a public review on a site like Google Maps or a rental review platform. This is usually a last resort when a landlord refuses to fix major problems, and it warns future tenants about bad service.
Example: You leave a 1-star review for your apartment building online: "The landlord takes weeks to answer repair requests and the laundry room is always dirty."
Tenant-Landlord Complaint - Making A Complaint By Email Or Mail
Robert and Elaine live in the same apartment building. They are both tenants. The hallway lights on their floor have not been working for the past two weeks. The hallway is very dark, and it has become a safety concern because people could easily trip or fall.
Contacting The Landlord
Robert and Elaine tried to call their landlord, George Waid, on the phone, but he did not answer. Because they got no response and two weeks had passed, Robert and Elaine decided to communicate in writing. Robert wrote a formal email, and Elaine wrote a handwritten letter to make sure the landlord understood the problem clearly.
Robert & Elaine's Conversation
Listen to Robert and Elaine's dialogue about the dark hallway. Their conversation leads to a plan for contacting their landlord, George Waid, by email and by mail since phone calls have been unsuccessful.
Robert Writes an Email
Since phone calls did not work, Robert decided to send a formal email to create a written record. He includes important details like his apartment number, how long the issue has lasted, and why it is a safety emergency that needs a quick fix.
Robert's Email
Elaine Writes a Letter
Elaine prefers to write on paper. She writes a formal handwritten letter to Mr. Waid explaining the exact same problem. She drops it in his mailbox to ensure he receives multiple notices from different tenants.
Elaine's Letter
Making A Complaint By Email Or Mail
Making a complaint by email, as Robert has done, or by mail, as Elaine has done, is a great way to contact the landlord. It creates a written record of the problem. When they send an email or a letter, they have time to explain the issue. They can include important details, like dates and apartment numbers. They can also attach photos of the problem. This written record helps them prove when they told the landlord about the dark hallway, especially if the landlord does not fix this problem promptly.
The Resolution
Thanks to Robert's formal email and Elaine's handwritten letter, the landlord, George Waid, finally got the message and sent an electrician to fix the lights on the third floor. The hallway is now bright and safe again, and Robert and Elaine are very happy that their written complaints successfully resolved the issue.
14 Common Tenant Complaints & Examples Of Functional Conversational Phrases
Tenant Complaint #1
Neglected Landscape
Neglected Landscape:
A neglected landscape means that the outdoor gardens, lawns, and green spaces are not maintained properly. This complaint is common when tenants feel that the outdoor area is untidy and uninviting.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel very disappointed when the landscape on the property is uncared for. Some examples of the landscape being neglected include the grass not being cut regularly, flower beds, shrubs, and trees being overgrown, and walkways being cluttered with dirt, overgrown weeds, and debris.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Neglected Landscape:
"My garden is overgrown and messy."
"I see weeds everywhere."
"The lawn needs cutting."
"Please fix the landscape."
"The landscape looks very neglected."
Tenant Complaint #2
Dirty Common Areas
Dirty Common Areas:
Dirty common areas refer to the shared spaces in a building that are not kept clean. Tenants often complain when hallways, lobbies, or laundry rooms are unclean.
Complaint Example:
Tenants may feel disgusted and irritated when dirt and dust accumulate in the lobby, trash is left and not cleaned up in the hallway, stairs are not swept, elevator areas might be grubby, and the shared laundry room is filthy.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Dirty Common Areas:
"There is a lot of mud and dirt in the entrance of the building."
"The hallway carpet is very dirty."
"There is garbage on the floor of the elevator."
"The laundry room is completely filthy."
"Can you please arrange for the property to be properly cleaned as soon as possible?"
Tenant Complaint #3
Parking Issues
Parking Issues:
Parking issues arise when there are problems related to reserved or available parking spaces. This complaint is made when tenants cannot find a clear place to park.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel outraged when they drive home after a long day at work, they get home, and they cannot find a parking spot because someone else is parked in their reserved parking spot. This is a very common and frustrating tenant complaint. Some other parking complaints include the parking lot being too small for all tenants, vehicles continuously blocking entry or exit access, markings on the parking lot may be unclear, and parking areas being poorly organized.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Parking Issues:
"I am unable to find a parking spot on the property."
"My reserved parking spot is always taken by someone else."
"There are not enough parking spots on the property."
"Other vehicles are blocking the entrance to the parking lot every afternoon."
"It is unacceptable that I am unable to find a parking spot when I get home from a long day of work."
Tenant Complaint #4
Noisy Neighbours
Noisy Neighbours:
Noisy neighbours can make a home very uncomfortable. This complaint happens when there is too much sound coming from adjacent homes or the common areas.
Complaint Example:
Tenants may feel very angry when there are loud noises on the property, such as music that is playing loudly late at night, neighbours having noisy family gatherings, neighbours shooting fireworks very late at night, footsteps, and loud voices that are heard clearly.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Noisy Neighbours:
"I am unable to sleep at night because of the loud noises."
"My neighbour plays music very loudly at night."
"I cannot work from home because my neighbours' TV is always so loud."
"My refrigerator is making a very loud and obnoxious noise."
"I hear loud banging noises every morning due to my neighbour running on a treadmill."
Tenant Complaint #5
Unsupervised Children
Unsupervised Children:
Unsupervised children in common areas can create safety and cleanliness issues. Tenants may complain when children are left to play without adult supervision.
Complaint Example:
Some tenants may feel agitated when children are playing and making lots of noise in the hallways, leaving toys scattered in the corridor, which can cause a tenant to accidentally fall, drawing on the walls of the property with crayons and markers, and playing a game called Ding Dong Ditch where kids disturb tenants by knocking on doors and running away repeatedly.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Unsupervised Children:
"The hallway is messy because there are toys everywhere."
"The kids are colouring all over the walls of the corridor."
"The children are yelling and screaming in the hallways all day long."
"The kids keep knocking on my door and running away."
"Please ask the children's parents to watch them."
Tenant Complaint #6
Unpleasant Smells
Unpleasant Smells:
Unpleasant smells are a common complaint when bad odours make a building uncomfortable. This can happen due to poor waste management, smoking, or lingering food smells.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel bothered by persistent smells. These smells might be cooking smells that fill the hallways, smoking smells from a neighbour who smokes, musty smells that come from damp areas on the property, pet smells from neighbours that have animals, and garbage smells from garbage that is left in the hallway.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Unpleasant Smells:
"The hallway smells like garbage all the time."
"There is a strong, bad odour in the building."
"I notice that there is an unpleasant smell in the hallway."
"I think the neighbour next door is smoking because everything smells like smoke."
"Could you please check where the bad smell is coming from?"
Tenant Complaint #7
Issues With Animals
Issues with Animals:
Issues with animals occur when pets or stray animals cause disturbances in the living environment. Tenants might complain about excessive noise, odours, or mess from animals.
Complaint Example:
Tenants may feel irritated by loud barking noises from dogs, and this can affect the peace in the building. Pets such as cats, dogs, bunnies, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, birds, snakes, or mice that are not properly cared for by their owners can cause very bad smells and other disturbances on the property, which the landlord would be obligated to mediate and resolve.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Issues With Animals:
"I hear barking all day and all night long."
"The dog is making too much noise."
"Dog waste is not being cleaned up around the property."
"The smell from the dirty cat litter that is not being cleaned up is too strong."
"The animals are running around freely and disturbing the hallway area."
Tenant Complaint #8
Pest Infestations
Pest Infestations:
Pest infestations are a serious concern when insects or rodents invade a living space. This complaint is made when tenants are worried about hygiene and health.
Complaint Example:
Tenants may feel disgusted if cockroaches or other bugs are spotted in common areas; ants invade food storage areas such as kitchens, or rodents might be seen throughout the property. Infestations are a serious complaint that landlords must take seriously and resolve the issue as soon as possible. These types of complaints can cause tenants sleepless nights, and repeated pest problems can lead to health concerns.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Pest Infestations:
"I saw a rat running around in the hallway."
"I found cockroaches in my bathroom."
"There are many ants in my kitchen, and I cannot get rid of them."
"I am worried about this infestation."
"Please call pest control."
"This situation with pests is a health issue."
Tenant Complaint #9
Inadequate Heating Or Cooling
Inadequate Heating or Cooling:
Inadequate heating or cooling creates discomfort for tenants in extreme weather. This complaint occurs when the systems in a home do not work as expected.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel agitated when the heater does not warm the property up effectively during the cold winter months, or when the air conditioner does not cool off the property effectively during the hot summer months.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Inadequate Heating Or Cooling:
"The heater does not warm my apartment."
"It is too cold in my apartment because the heater is not working."
"The air conditioner does not cool my apartment."
"The AC stopped working, and now I feel uncomfortable in my home because I am too hot."
"Please fix this situation as soon as possible."
Tenant Complaint #10
Maintenance Delays
Maintenance Delays:
Maintenance delays refer to situations where necessary repairs are not carried out in a timely manner. Tenants complain when problems linger without a solution.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel concerned when they have maintenance issues not repaired or replaced for days or weeks. Some important maintenance issues include a leaky faucet, a broken window, a faulty appliance, a broken door lock, or a moldy wall. It can be very frustrating and concerning when these maintenance issues are delayed or ignored by the landlord.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Maintenance Delays:
"This repair is taking too long."
"I called you two days ago to tell you that my refrigerator stopped working."
"I informed you that my door lock was broken days ago."
"I have been complaining about my leaky faucet for weeks."
"I told you that my window broke days ago. Your delayed response is unacceptable."
Tenant Complaint #11
Damage To Common Areas
Damage to Common Areas:
Damage to common areas includes any form of destruction or defacement in shared spaces. This complaint is made when there is visible damage that is not repaired.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel very frustrated when they have to deal with damage to common areas such as walls that have graffiti, playground equipment or furniture in shared areas that are broken, elevators are out of service, the residential swimming pool is unmaintained, the flooring in hallways is damaged, and lighting fixtures are not functioning.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Damage To Common Areas:
"The light in the hallway is not turning on."
"The elevator stopped working."
"The hallway wall needs to be painted."
"This broken playground is a safety hazard."
"The hallway carpet should be replaced."
Tenant Complaint #12
Safety Concerns
Safety Concerns:
Safety concerns arise when tenants feel that the building is not secure enough for them. They complain when potential hazards exist that threaten their well-being.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel scared when there is no lighting in the entrance areas, no lighting in hallways due to burnt-out lights, broken locks and windows within the property, or when emergency exits are blocked. Tenants should contact their landlord as soon as possible if they have any safety concerns.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Safety Concerns:
"The entrance to the building is poorly lit."
"The broken entrance lock is worrying me."
"The emergency exits are blocked on my floor."
"The entrance door is left unlocked, and this concerns me."
"I do not feel safe on the property because of this situation."
Tenant Complaint #13
Privacy Invasion
Privacy Invasion:
Privacy invasion occurs when tenants feel that their personal space is not respected. This complaint appears when there is too much intrusion into private areas.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel anxious and irritated when their privacy is being invaded by the landlord if the landlord makes many unscheduled visits without notice. Another privacy invasion situation is cameras being placed inappropriately throughout the property.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Privacy Invasion:
"Please let me know ahead of time when you come by."
"I am requesting that you make scheduled visits to the property."
"Please do not enter the apartment without asking me first."
"I prefer that you call first before coming in."
"Your unscheduled visits make me feel nervous."
Tenant Complaint #14
Difficulty Reaching The Landlord
Difficulty Reaching The Landlord:
Difficulty reaching the landlord is a common complaint when tenants cannot get in touch with the property owner. This creates frustration and feelings of neglect.
Complaint Example:
Tenants might feel outraged when they try to contact the landlord and their calls go unanswered, their emails and text messages are not replied to, they receive no follow-up communication, and setting up meetings with the landlord is very hard to arrange.
Conversational Phrases - Tenant Complaints - Difficulty Reaching The Landlord:
"I cannot reach you by phone."
"My emails go unanswered."
"I need a way to contact you quickly."
"I feel ignored in my concerns."
"Please provide better communication."
Concluding Thoughts
Overall, understanding tenant and landlord disputes and knowing your rights and responsibilities helps prevent most housing issues. Whether you are dealing with a noisy neighbour, a maintenance problem, or questions about your lease, clear communication is always the best first step. When tenants and landlords talk openly and put agreements in writing, everyone can enjoy a safe and peaceful home.
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Written by: Nicole WT
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