- Honest draftsBuilt only from the facts you type
- Nothing storedDrafts are not saved or used for training
- Edit before sendingYou review every line
- No sign-upFree daily drafts, no account
What to include
- Your name, unit and lease start date
- Your payment history (if it is good)
- What happened and when
- A specific payment plan with dates and amounts
- A request to confirm the plan in writing
Example of facts to type
The tool works best with plain facts like these (made-up example):
I have rented unit 3B since 2022 and always paid on time. My car broke down in October 2026 and I missed two weeks of work. I can pay $600 of the $1,200 November rent on November 1 and the rest by November 20.
Letter outline you can copy
Prefer to write it yourself? Use this structure. Replace everything in [brackets].
[Your name, address, phone, email] [Date] [Recipient name / department and address] Re: [Account, loan or case number] - Hardship request Dear [Name or department], Paragraph 1: Who you are, the account, and that you are writing to request help. Paragraph 2: What happened, when, and how it changed your income or expenses (brief, factual). Paragraph 3: Where things stand now: current income, what you can pay, and when the situation should improve. Paragraph 4: Your specific request (for example, a payment plan, forbearance, fee waiver) and the documents enclosed. Thank you for considering my request. I can be reached at [phone/email]. Sincerely, [Name]
How to write a hardship letter that gets read
A hardship letter explains a real change in your circumstances and asks for a specific kind of help. The people reading it often handle many requests a day, so the most useful letters are short, factual and easy to check against your documents.
- Be specific. Dates, amounts and the exact request help a reviewer act.
- Stay truthful. Never overstate a hardship; inconsistencies with your documents can hurt your request.
- Show the path forward. Explain what you can pay now and when things should improve.
- Keep copies of everything you send, and note the date and method.
Before you send it
- Replace every [bracketed] placeholder or delete the line.
- Check that each date, amount and name is exactly right.
- Remove anything that is not true or that you cannot support.
- Keep a copy and note when and how you sent it.
Related hardship letters
- Hardship letter for mortgage (loan modification or forbearance)
- Hardship letter for loan modification
- Hardship letter to prevent eviction
- Hardship letter for rental assistance
- Hardship letter for back rent
- Hardship letter to break apartment lease
- Hardship letter for medical bills
- Hardship letter to credit card company
Frequently asked questions
Does a hardship letter stop an eviction?
No letter can guarantee that. It is a request. If you have received an eviction notice, contact local legal aid or a tenant help line quickly.
Should I send it by email or paper?
Use the method your lease specifies for notices, and keep a copy. Email plus a printed copy is common.
Is LetterRuler free?
Yes. There is a daily limit on free letters so the service stays free for everyone.
Do you keep my letter?
No. Your text is sent to Cloudflare Workers AI to create the draft and is not stored in our database. See the privacy policy.
