Sample Letter - Locks and security

[Your name and address]

[Date]

[Landlord’s or agent’s name and address]

Dear …

Re: Security and Locks at [your address]

I am writing to ask you to pay for eight window keylocks and two deadlocks for the front and back doors to ensure the premises I am renting from you are secure. I am enclosing a quote for this work. My insurance company requires this level of security to insure the premises.

Under section 29(1)(a) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 the landlord is required to provide and maintain such locks or other security devices as are necessary to ensure that the residential premises are reasonably secure.

In a case before the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal in August 2002 the Member ordered the landlord pay $3,332 compensation for goods that were stolen while the premises were not secure. (RT 02/06210)

I would like to improve the security of the premises as quickly as possible and I would ask you to send me a cheque in the next week. If you want to use another company to do the work, please contact me on [phone number] to arrange this.

Yours sincerely,

T Tenant