Email to landlord about a leaking pipe (CLB 9)
Task prompt
Your apartment has had a leaking pipe under the kitchen sink for three days. The leak is getting worse and has damaged some of your belongings. Write an email to your landlord explaining the problem, describing the damage, and requesting urgent repair.
Your task
Write a formal email to your landlord about a leaking kitchen pipe. Your email must:
- Explain the problem clearly (what, where, how long)
- Describe the damage caused
- Request urgent repair with a specific deadline
- Use a professional, polite but firm tone
Word count target: 150–200 words
Model answer (CLB 9)
Subject: Urgent Maintenance Request — Leaking Pipe, Unit 4B
Dear Mr. Harrington,
I am writing to report a serious maintenance issue in my unit at 142 Maple Street, Apartment 4B. A pipe under the kitchen sink has been leaking for the past three days, and despite placing a bucket to contain the water, the leak has worsened considerably.
The water damage has affected the cabinet floor beneath the sink, and two boxes of personal belongings stored in that cabinet have been soaked and are likely beyond repair. I am concerned that if the issue is not addressed promptly, the damage will spread to the flooring and potentially affect the unit below mine.
I would appreciate it if you could arrange for a licensed plumber to inspect and repair the pipe no later than Friday, June 6th. Please confirm receipt of this email and let me know a convenient time for access.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely, Jordan Kim Tenant, Unit 4B (604) 555-0192
Why this scores CLB 9
| CLB Criterion | What this response does well |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Immediately clear: urgent repair request with context |
| Detail | Specific unit, duration, worsening condition, items damaged |
| Organization | Problem → damage → request → timeline → closing |
| Tone | Formal, polite, firm — appropriate for tenant-landlord relationship |
| Vocabulary | ”worsened considerably,” “licensed plumber,” “prompt attention” — academic register |
| Grammar | Varied sentence structures, no errors, passive voice used correctly |
Common mistakes at CLB 6–7
| Weak version | Why it loses marks |
|---|---|
| ”The pipe is leaking. Please fix it.” | No detail, no timeline, too brief |
| ”I am very angry about this problem.” | Inappropriate emotional tone for formal email |
| ”Can you send someone?” | Vague — no deadline, no specific request |
| Starting with “Hi” | Too informal for a landlord complaint email |
Examiner tip
At CLB 9, examiners look for control of register. Every sentence should feel intentional. Avoid contractions (“I’m”, “don’t”) in formal emails. Use “I am” and “do not” instead.
The strongest signal of CLB 9 is the deadline: asking for repair “no later than Friday, June 6th” shows the writer understands professional communication norms and takes ownership of the situation.