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T-4 Letters

T-4, Letters: Tenant Apologies

CAUTION!
Although it is generally good to acknowledge a mistake and to apologize to the person or people affected by it, tenants should also be realistic. There can be serious legal risks for a tenant who acknowledges wrongdoing in his tenancy, since it may serve as the basis for a landlord to start a “fault” or “for cause” eviction.   Before apologizing, you may want to explore this with a professional or a friend.

Consider the following as a possible approach:
-   Whatever actually ‘happened’, you can simply say to your landlord: “I’m sorry.” If you add: “I’m sorry FOR X,” this may establish grounds for eviction if the landlord wants to pursue this.
-   If your landlord wants to discuss the incident, you can do this without acknowledging fault.   Try to keep your comments open-ended, such as, “I understand you are upset and angry about what happened on June 9th.” You want the landlord to feel free to discuss his understanding of events. You also want to listen for and sympathize with his or her feelings, but you don’t need to agree with his view of the facts.
-   Here’s how you might state a general apology: “I apologize for any way in which my actions have caused you to feel upset or angry, ______________ (landlord’s name)

If you find that you cannot reach the landlord in person quickly enough to defuse a potentially explosive situation, you might try to reach him in writing to get him to talk or otherwise communicate with you.

If you decide to write to the landlord, select a situation below that best matches yours:

T-4, Letter-1:
Situation: Tenant wants to apologize for activities that landlord or other tenants find objectionable; no prior discussion with landlord.

T-4, Letter-2:
Situation: Tenant wants to apologize for activities that landlord or other tenants find objectionable; Tenant has already discussed situation with landlord.

T-4, Letter-3:
Situation: Tenant wants to apologize for activities that landlord or other tenants find objectionable; Landlord wants tenant to agree in writing to new behaviors or responsibilities.