Letter to complain about the poor standard of a service by Citizens Advice
Updated 3 November 2025
The Citizens Advice template letter to complain about a poor standard of service helps consumers request a repair or refund when a trader fails to carry out work with reasonable care and skill. It is part of Citizens Advice’s widely trusted library of open, lawyer-vetted letter templates.
Letter to complain about the poor standard of a service
[complainant name]
[complainant address line 1]
[complainant address line 2]
[complainant email]
[complainant phone]
[recipient name]
[recipient address line 1]
[recipient address line 2]
[letter date]
To whom it may concern,
Consumer Rights Act 2015
On [service date], you agreed to the following work: [service description].
We agreed this work would be completed by [agreed completion date] at a cost of [agreed cost].
However, I have had the following problems:
List any faults or defects.
The sink you installed doesn't drain properly
The flush on the toilet doesn't work at all
According to the law named above, I am entitled to have this work done with reasonable care and skill.
I would like you to repair both of these faults within a week or I would like you to refund my money and I will ask someone to do the work who is able to.
Please respond to my complaint/complete the work in the next [number of days] days. If you fail to respond/remedy in this time, I will have no option but to consider taking the matter further.
Yours faithfully,
[complainant name]
About this template
What is this template?
Letter to complain about the poor standard of a service by Citizens Advice is a free, ready-to-use Consumer law template you can open, customize, and download on GitLaw. It gives you a professionally structured starting point, so you never have to draft from a blank page. The wording is plain and modern, organized into clear sections that are easy to read, edit, and adapt to your own situation before you share or sign it.
When should you use it?
Reach for this Consumer law template whenever you need a reliable agreement quickly and want to be sure the essentials are covered. It suits individuals, freelancers, startups, and established businesses alike. Instead of paying for a document drafted from scratch, you can start here, tailor the details to your arrangement, and have a polished draft ready in minutes. This version is drafted with England & Wales in mind, though you should always review the final wording against the laws that apply to you.
What's typically included?
A well-drafted Consumer law usually sets out the parties involved, the scope of the agreement, and each side's rights and responsibilities. Expect sections covering key terms and definitions, how long the agreement lasts, how it can be ended, and what happens if something goes wrong. This template brings those building blocks together in a sensible order, so you can focus on the specifics rather than worrying about what to include. Open it to read the full document, then sign up to edit, negotiate, and e-sign it directly in GitLaw.