Write a demand letter
A demand letter is a letter you send to someone who owes you money, services or a product. You can also use a demand letter to ask someone to stop doing something they are doing to you. It’s a way you can ask someone to complete the requirements of their agreement with you.
1. Fast facts
What is a demand letter?
A demand letter is a letter you send to someone who owes you money, services, or a product. It’s a way you can ask someone to complete the requirements of their agreement with you. If you disagree with a person or a company, and informal efforts to resolve your dispute fail, you can write a demand letter. It may help persuade the other person to give you what you want.
You might need to send a demand letter if:
- You bought something that doesn’t work, and the seller won’t exchange the item or refund your money.
- A service provider didn’t perform the promised work that you already paid for.
- You ordered a product that the seller never delivered.
- You’re experiencing treatment from someone that you want to stop. You think that a demand letter could help stop the behavior. If you’re afraid for your physical safety, you might want to try to get a protection order instead of using a demand letter to try to stop the behavior.
Who can I send a demand letter to?
You can send a demand letter to anyone who owes you something or who you want to do something based on an agreement you made. Before you start writing the letter, think about your relationship with the person you plan to send it to. Is it a friend, neighbor, community member, or relative? Is it important to keep a good personal relationship with them? Is it a contractor, business, or other entity who you may have to deal with in the future? This will help you decide if a letter is the right course of action.
What tone should a demand letter have?
You must write the demand letter with as little emotion as possible. Try to be neutral, clear and calm in tone. Stick to the facts about what you agreed to, what’s owed, the timeline for the other person or entity to respond, and what they must do to fulfill their obligations.
Avoid emotions and opinions. Demand letters should focus only on facts. Don’t make threats or use a threatening tone.
How do I get ready to write a demand letter?
Keep a detailed record and copies of all your communications with the other person or company. Write down the date, time, name of the person you spoke to, and the nature of all your conversations about the problem. Keep a copy of all contracts, bills, invoices, correspondence, statements, and so on. Print any emails or electronic communication you get about this issue. Make a folder where you keep everything related to this issue until it is resolved.