How to respond to a demand letter
Short answer
To respond to a demand letter, read it carefully, check the facts and the deadline, then reply in writing before the deadline: by complying, negotiating, or contesting in writing. A demand letter isn't a judgment, but ignoring it is risky: the sender can then turn to a tribunal, and your silence will count against you.
Receiving a demand letter is stressful, but it isn't a summons to court. It's a written request that gives you time to react. How you respond (or fail to respond) can make all the difference if the dispute continues. Here's how to approach each step.
First step: read it and check it
Before anything else, read the whole letter, calmly. Identify who is writing to you, what you're accused of, what you're asked to do and (above all) the deadline to act. Note that deadline right away: it sets the pace for everything else.
Then check the facts. Does the demand match reality? Are the amounts correct? Gather your own documents: lease, receipts, photos, emails: while they're fresh. This check will determine which of the three options below is the right one for you.
What a demand letter is, and isn't
A demand letter (mise en demeure) is an extrajudicial demand made in writing: the sender (the creditor) formally asks you to perform an obligation (to pay, to repair, to stop a behaviour) within a set time. It's the formal step before legal recourse, not the recourse itself.
What a demand letter isn't matters just as much:
- It isn't a judgment. No one has ruled on the dispute yet; you keep all your defences.
- It isn't proof that you're wrong. The sender asserts their version of the facts; you can contest it.
- It isn't an obligation to comply. Nothing forces you to do what's asked, but ignoring it has consequences.
In practice, a demand letter often serves to show the sender's good faith before turning to a tribunal. Many disputes are settled at this stage, without a hearing, which is also in your interest.
Your three options
Once you've read the letter and checked the facts, you essentially have three ways to respond.
1. Comply. If the demand is well founded, meeting it is often the simplest and cheapest solution: pay, carry out the repair, or stop the behaviour complained of, then confirm it in writing. That way you avoid a case at the tribunal.
2. Negotiate. You accept part of the demand but not all of it, or you need more time? Propose a solution: a payment plan, extra time, a partial repair. A written agreement (even a simple exchange of emails) protects you if the other party changes their mind.
3. Contest in writing. If you disagree with the facts or the demand, say so, in writing, before the deadline. Set out your version, back it up with documents (photos, receipts, exchanges) and keep the tone factual. Contesting doesn't end the dispute, but your reply becomes evidence if the matter reaches a tribunal.
How to write your response
Whatever option you choose, your response is stronger when it's written, dated, and sent by a method that leaves a trace. A verbal reply or a text message is easily disputed; a timestamped written one is not.
- Note the file reference and the date of the demand letter received.
- State your position clearly: agreement, proposal, or contestation.
- Stick to the facts and avoid personal attacks.
- Keep a copy and proof of sending.
In many cases, the recipient does more than reply: they send their own formal demand letter in return: to make a claim of their own, or to put their version on the record. You can start from a free template grounded in the Civil Code, then send it by certified email with timestamped proof of receipt. You then hold the same kind of proof that was just used against you.
Deadlines
The deadline stated in the demand letter is the one the sender set. There is no single legal deadline: the law only requires it to be “sufficient.”
“An extrajudicial demand by which a creditor puts his debtor in default must be made in writing. The demand must allow the debtor sufficient time for performance, having regard to the nature of the obligation and the circumstances; otherwise the debtor may perform the obligation within a reasonable time after the demand.”
: Article 1595, Civil Code of Québec (LégisQuébec)
In concrete terms, reply before the deadline. If the time given seems unreasonably short, article 1595 provides that the debtor may still perform the obligation within a reasonable time, but it's better to react early and say so in writing than to let the date slip. The time starts to run from receipt of the letter, not from when it was sent.
When to consult a lawyer
For an ordinary rental dispute: a disagreement over repairs, a modest amount, a neighbour disturbance: you can respond yourself. The process at the Tribunal administratif du logement is in fact designed to be accessible without a lawyer.
Consult a legal professional if the amounts at stake are significant, if the facts are complex, if a lawsuit is already under way, or if the demand letter puts your liability beyond the lease into question. A lawyer or a legal clinic can assess your specific situation.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Can you contest a demand letter?
Yes. A demand letter isn’t a judgment: you can reply in writing to contest the facts or the request, setting out your version. Contesting doesn’t make the dispute disappear, but your written reply becomes evidence if the matter reaches a tribunal.
Am I required to respond to a demand letter?
No law obliges you to respond. But ignoring a demand letter is rarely a good idea: the sender can turn to a tribunal, and your silence will show it. A written reply (even just to propose a solution) protects your interests.
What happens if I ignore a demand letter?
The sender can move to the next step and file an application with a tribunal. The demand letter and the absence of a reply will show they tried to settle the dispute before suing. Responding (by complying, negotiating, or contesting) is almost always better than silence.
How do I respond to a demand letter in writing?
Reply before the deadline, by a method that leaves a trace. State the file reference, set out your position (agreement, proposal, or contestation), and keep proof of sending. Many recipients send their own formal reply by certified email to prove the date and content.
Do I need a lawyer to respond to a demand letter?
Not necessarily. For an ordinary rental dispute, you can respond yourself. Consult a lawyer if the amounts are significant, the facts are complex, or a lawsuit is already under way. This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.