Phone calls & errands
How to get your landlord to fix something
You’re talking to Mr. Alvarez, your landlord. The goal: describe the problem and get a repair date.
Your first line
Mr. Alvarez starts with “Hello? Yeah, what’s going on?”
“Hi Mr. Alvarez. The bathroom sink has been leaking under the cabinet for two weeks. I texted you on the 3rd. Can someone come Saturday?”
Facts ready: what’s broken, where and since when, then one specific day. “Can someone come Saturday?” is much harder to brush off than “can you look at it?”
What Mr. Alvarez might say, and what to say back
Mr. Alvarez: “Okay, okay, I’ll get to it.”
You: “Thanks. What day works? I can be home Saturday morning, or any weekday after 5.”
Mr. Alvarez: “Is it really urgent? Can it wait?”
You: “It’s getting worse, and water is soaking into the cabinet. I’d like it fixed this week. What day can you do?”
Mr. Alvarez: “I’ll have to see when my repair guy is free.”
You: “Okay. Can you check with him today and text me the day and time?”
Two things that trip people up
- Accepting “I’ll get to it” and hanging up.Ask for a day before you go: “So Saturday morning works?”
- Threatening or yelling about it.Stay calm, repeat the facts and the day you want, and ask him to confirm by text.
Now say it out loud
Reading the words isn’t the same as saying them. Practice this one with Mr. Alvarez pushing back like the real person would. Then your coach, Frankie, fixes your exact words. The move to focus on: Facts ready.
Practice this one free3 free reps a day. No sign-up. Out loud or typed.