Date

Landlord’s name

Landlord’s address

Dear Landlord:

WE make our homes at xxxxx St., a 30-unit building your company owns in Dorchester. We are concerned about rising rents in our building along with the many, many unresolved bad conditions.

As you know, many of us have complained about bad conditions for some time. These include, but are not limited to, issues such as inadequate heat and hot water, infestation of mice and roaches, non-working smoke detectors, unclean common areas, lack of building security, maintenance of the front parking lot, lack of response to emergencies, and cases of unwanted entry.

Despite the presence of many such conditions, rents have been increasing in our building by hundreds of dollars a month.

In response to this situation, we have organized a tenant association, with the support of City Life/Vida Urbana and the Codman Sq. CDC. We would like to begin negotiations with you about:

1. How to correct problems in the building.

2. How to make sure our homes are affordable for the long term.

3. Our security. Knowing who our maintenance people are and preventing unwanted entry.

We know the real estate market is “hot” right now and owners are making very good profits. But there has to be a balance between these profits and the needs of ordinary people like ourselves.

In order to contact our tenant association, please don’t contact us individually. Please write or call [names of City Life and Codman Sq. NDC organizers). They will forward all messages. We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Signed by all interested with building and apartment #’s

cc. City Life/Vida Urbana

Landlord’s attorney

Our attorney if one exists

Community, religious and political leaders for the relevant neighborhood

Or leaders of organizations with which tenants are affiliated