IELTS Computer Delivered Tests + Band Score

IELTS Sample Letters

These IELTS sample letters illustrate the different types you may come across in the test.

Letters tend to be one of these types:

  • Informal (e.g. to a friend or family member)
  • Semi-formal (e.g. to your landlord or employer, who you know)
  • Formal (e.g. to the manager of a company)

They also have broad purposes such as a complaint, resignation, arrangement, advice, request, explanation or apology, though any one letter may include several of these purposes based on the bullet points.

IELTS Sample Letters

You can also view letters that have been written by students practicing for the test:

IELTS Letter to Landlord

IELTS Letter to LandlordIELTS Letter to Landlord

You are experiencing financial problems and want to ask your landlord if you can pay your rent late. Write a letter to your landlord.

In your letter explain:

  • Why you cannot pay the rent
  • When you will pay the rent.
  • How you will ensure you can pay your rent in the future


Write at least 150 words

You do NOT need to write any addresses

Begin your letter as follows:

Dear……..,


Model Answer

Dear Mr Strickland,

I am writing to you to request that you allow me to pay my rent late this month.

The reason is that I am having a few financial problems at the moment. Last month, I was made redundant from my job due to the fact that the company I work for is closing down. Because I have not worked at the company for long, I have not received a redundancy payment, therefore leaving me short of money this month.

I can assure you that I will be able to pay the rent on the 15th of next month. I have now found another job, and they have kindly agreed to give me an advance on my wages, but they are unable to arrange this until next week.

I can assure you that I will be able to continue to pay rent at the full rate and on time in the future. As I mentioned, I have a new job and this is on a long-term contract, meaning that I will have a secure and timely income. I may also set up a direct debit so the payment goes to your automatically each month. 

I hope this will be acceptable to you, but please contact me if it is a problem.

Yours sincerely,

John Streetham.

(210 Words)

Comments

The letter is well-structured as the writer makes it clear in the first sentence why the letter is being written, gives further details of the problem in the first body paragraph, and then sets out when payment will be made, finally discussing the future.

The tone of the letter is appropriate as it is polite (I am writing to you to request..., I can assure you...., I apologise for this problem..., please contact me if it is a problem... ).

The opening and closing of the letter are correct for a semi-formal letter to someone if you know their name (Dear Mr Strickland..., Yours sincerely... ).

There are good examples of correct use of tenses, demonstrating that the writer has a very good working use of grammar:

  1. present continuous for what is happening now: I am having a few financial problems at the moment
  2. past simple passive for events in the past and when the subject is not doing the verb: I was made redundant
  3. Future: I can assure you that I will be able to pay
  4. Present perfect: I have now found
Letter to Insurance Company >

More on IELTS Letters:


Join IELTS buddy for Free IELTS Tips!

Comments

Any comments or questions about this page or about IELTS? Post them here. Your email will not be published or shared.

Show / Hide

Band 7+ eBooks

"I think these eBooks are FANTASTIC!!! I know that's not academic language, but it's the truth!"

Linda, from Italy, Scored Band 7.5

ielts buddy ebooks