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Email templates › Housing

Housing

45 emails, grouped by the kind of business you are writing to. Each template is a complete email with the blanks marked, plus what to have ready before you send and what to expect after. If you'd rather not run the conversation yourself, every page has a button that hands the job to myagent@standinfor.me.

Mover

  • Ask a mover for a binding estimateAsk your mover to turn its quote into a binding estimate, a written price that can't go up on moving day, based on your full inventory and services.
  • Request quotes from moversSend several movers the same details and get written quotes you can compare, showing how each price is figured, what's included, and their USDOT number.

Storage facility

  • Get storage unit quotesGet storage unit quotes you can actually compare: one email asking each facility for the post-promotion rate, all fees, insurance rules and rent increases.
  • Dispute a storage unit rent increaseGot a storage unit rent increase notice? This email points to what new customers pay for the same unit and asks the manager to hold or reduce your rate.
  • Get a storage deposit refund after move-outDone with your storage unit? This email confirms your move-out date in writing, asks for your deposit back, and makes sure rent and autopay stop.

Property manager

  • Ask your landlord for a repairA sample repair request that counts as written notice: describe the problem, attach dated photos, set a fix-by date, and say when someone can come in.
  • Dispute a property management feeCharged a fee your lease never mentions? This email asks the property manager for the clause behind it and, if there isn't one, to remove the charge.
  • Dispute security deposit deductionsLandlord kept too much of your deposit? This letter disputes each charge with your photos and the normal wear and tear rule, and asks for the rest back.
  • Follow up on an unfinished landlord repairReported a repair and nothing happened? This second request puts the dates and promises in writing, sets a deadline, and builds the record you may need.
  • Ask for a lock change or security fixNeed your apartment locks changed? This email asks your property manager to rekey your door or fix a broken lock as an urgent repair, and settles who pays.
  • Request your security deposit backMoved out? This dated letter asks your landlord to return your security deposit, gives your forwarding address, and notes the deadline your state sets.
  • Send a security deposit demand letterLandlord missed the deadline or kept your deposit without a list? This security deposit demand letter cites your state law and sets a date to pay.

Apartment leasing office

  • Ask about ending your lease earlyThinking of breaking a lease early? This email gets your leasing office to put the buyout fee, notice period, sublet rules and deposit terms in writing.
  • Ask an apartment about availability and specialsEmail these to the leasing office before you tour: which units fit your move-in date, the rent with every monthly fee added, and any move-in specials.
  • Negotiate your lease renewal rentRent going up at renewal? This email counters with a lower number, backed by what your building and nearby units list for now and your record as a tenant.
  • Request an apartment application fee refundApplication and holding fees can be refunded if the unit went to someone else, the screening never ran, or your state caps them. Here's the email to ask.
  • Send a lease termination letterA lease termination letter giving your landlord the notice your lease requires, often 30 or 60 days, with your move-out date and forwarding address.

Real estate agent

  • Ask a real estate agent about commissionReal estate agent commission often totals 5% to 6%, and it is negotiable. This email gets each agent's fee in dollars, what it covers, and how to cancel.
  • Cancel a listing agreementWant out before your listing agreement ends? This email asks the brokerage for a signed release and a written answer on any fee or protection period.
  • Complain about a real estate agentTake a complaint about your real estate agent to their managing broker. This email lists what went wrong, with dates, and asks for one fix by a set date.
  • Request a home showingSaw a home online? This email asks the listing agent for a showing, offers your times and financing, and works with or without your own buyer's agent.

Contractor

  • Ask a contractor about license and insuranceFind out if a contractor is licensed and insured before you sign. This email asks for the license number, a liability certificate and workers' comp proof.
  • Ask a contractor for an itemized estimateAn itemized quote splits a contractor's total into labor, materials, permits and allowances. This email asks for one so you can compare bids line by line.
  • Negotiate a contractor's quoteNegotiating with a contractor works best with specifics. This email cites a competing bid, names the lines where the gap is and offers something back.
  • Request quotes from contractorsContractor quotes only compare if everyone prices the same job. Send this email to describe your project once, with photos, and get itemized quotes back.
  • Request HVAC quotesAn HVAC quote request for replacing a furnace, AC or heat pump that asks every company for model numbers, sizing, efficiency ratings, permits and rebates.
  • Request roofing quotesMake roofing estimates comparable: this email describes your roof and asks every roofer for tear-off vs overlay, decking price and both warranties.

Plumber

  • Ask a plumber or electrician for ratesGet a plumber quote before anyone comes out. This email describes a small job and asks the rate, trip fee and first date; it works for electricians too.
  • Dispute a plumber's service call feeBilled a plumber service call fee you were never told about, or more than quoted? This email sets out what you were told and asks for a corrected invoice.
  • Request an emergency plumbing quoteA copy-and-paste email that tells a plumber exactly what is broken, asks for the soonest arrival time and the after-hours rate, and gets both in writing.

Electrician

Landscaper

  • Complain about unfinished landscapingIf a contractor doesn't finish the job, put it in writing. This email lists what your landscaper left undone, sets a deadline and holds the final payment.
  • Request lawn care quotesDescribe your yard and what you want each visit once, then send this lawn care quote request to several companies for per-visit prices and contract terms.
  • Request a yard cleanup quoteA yard cleanup quote request for an overgrown yard, with photos, a task list and your haul-away choice, so the landscaper prices the whole job up front.

Home service

  • Ask a cleaner to redo missed workA copy-and-paste email that tells a house cleaning company exactly what was skipped or done poorly and asks them to come back and fix it at no charge.
  • Request house cleaning quotesGet house cleaning quotes you can compare. This email describes your home once and asks each company for first-visit and recurring prices and insurance.
  • Request pest control quotesGet a pest control quote in writing. This email describes the problem with photos and asks for a one-time price, plan terms, inspection fee and products.

Building supply store

  • Ask a supply store for contractor pricingMost lumber yards have a contractor discount, often 10 to 25 percent off retail. This email asks if you qualify and what it takes to open an account.
  • Request a bulk materials quoteBuying bulk lumber for a deck or fence? Send the yard your full materials list with this email and get unit prices, lead times and delivery cost.
  • Return unused building materialsHave leftover building materials? This email asks the store which unused items it will take back, any restocking fee, and how the refund is paid.
  • Schedule a materials deliveryGet your lumber delivery on the right day and in the right spot. This email gives the yard your order number, drop location, access notes and time window.

Furniture store

  • Ask a furniture store for a price matchYou can often negotiate with furniture stores by asking for a price match. This email sends the competitor's listing and asks for the delivered total.
  • Follow up on delayed custom furnitureA copy-and-paste email that asks a furniture store for a firm delivery date on a late custom order and what they will do if the new date slips again.
  • Report furniture delivery damageFurniture damaged on delivery? This email reports it the same day with the order number and photos, and asks for a replacement, repair or partial refund.