How to Write a Complaint Letter? with Sample Formats

Writing a complaint letter is an essential skill for students and individuals alike. Whether you’re addressing an issue at school, work, a government office, or even a business, knowing how to communicate your concerns formally and clearly can make a real difference.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the structure of a complaint letter and provide few well-written sample letters on different topics. These examples follow a student-friendly format and are ideal for practice, school assignments, and real-life use.

Format of a Complaint Letter

A standard complaint letter includes the following parts:

  • Sender’s Address
  • Date
  • Receiver’s Address (such as the principal, manager, or officer)
  • Subject Line
  • Salutation (Respected Sir/Madam)
  • Body of the Letter:
    • Introduction: Mention your identity and the purpose
    • Details of the Complaint: Be clear and factual
    • Request for Action
  • Closing line (Thanking You, Yours faithfully, etc.)
  • Signature/Name

All samples below follow this format in paragraph style, suitable for Indian students.

Complaint Letter Samples

1. Complaint Letter to Principal for Cleanliness Issues in School

Sender’s Address:
123 M.G. Road,
Delhi – 110001

Date: 17 July 2025

To,
The Principal,
ABC Public School,
Delhi

Subject: Request to improve school cleanliness

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am a student of Class IX A of your school. I am writing to bring to your notice the deteriorating cleanliness in our school premises. The school corridors, washrooms, and playgrounds are often dirty and not cleaned regularly. This has led to an increase in mosquitoes and flies, which may cause health issues among students.

I request you to look into this matter urgently and ensure regular sanitation in all areas of the school. A clean environment will promote better health and improve concentration among students.

Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Riya Sharma
Class IX A

Also read: essay on cleanliness

2. Complaint Letter to Electricity Department for Frequent Power Cuts

Sender’s Address:
45 B, Laxmi Nagar,
Nagpur – 440001

Date: 17 July 2025

To,
The Executive Engineer,
Electricity Department,
Nagpur

Subject: Complaint regarding frequent power failures

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am a resident of Laxmi Nagar and would like to bring to your attention the issue of frequent power cuts in our locality. These outages occur daily and last for several hours, disrupting our daily activities and causing inconvenience, especially during the hot summer months.

This issue has also affected students’ studies and home appliances. I request you to take immediate steps to resolve this problem by inspecting the power lines or upgrading the infrastructure.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Vikram Singh

Explore: essay on electricity

3. Complaint Letter to Municipal Corporation for Poor Drainage System

Sender’s Address:
C-15, Patel Nagar,
Jaipur – 302001

Date: 17 July 2025

To,
The Municipal Commissioner,
Jaipur Municipal Corporation

Subject: Poor drainage system causing waterlogging

Respected Sir/Madam,

I would like to draw your attention to the poor drainage in Patel Nagar. During the rainy season, the drains overflow, causing waterlogging on roads. This makes commuting difficult and increases the risk of waterborne diseases.

Despite previous complaints, no action has been taken so far. I request your urgent intervention to repair and clean the drainage lines to prevent further health hazards.

Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Alok Meena

Related: essay on rainy season

4. Complaint Letter to Bank Regarding Unauthorized Transaction

Sender’s Address:
78 Park Avenue,
Chennai – 600018

Date: 17 July 2025

To,
The Branch Manager,
State Bank of India,
Chennai

Subject: Complaint about unauthorized debit transaction

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am an account holder at your bank (Account No: XXXXXXX). On 15 July 2025, an amount of ₹5,000 was deducted from my account without my knowledge. I did not authorize this transaction, and I suspect it to be fraudulent.

Kindly investigate this issue urgently and help reverse the transaction. Please also ensure that my account is secure from such unauthorized access in the future.

Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Neha Verma

Helpful link: Essay on banking system

5. Complaint Letter to Police Station about Loud Noises at Night

Sender’s Address:
Flat 12B, Green Residency,
Lucknow – 226010

Date: 17 July 2025

To,
The Station House Officer (SHO),
Gomti Nagar Police Station,
Lucknow

Subject: Complaint about noise pollution from a nearby venue

Respected Sir/Madam,

I am a resident of Green Residency in Gomti Nagar and want to report regular loud music and noise coming from a banquet hall near our society. This happens almost every night and continues till late, disturbing the peace of the neighborhood.

Several senior citizens and students reside in this area, and the noise affects our sleep and studies. Please take strict action and instruct the owners to follow the noise regulations.

Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Arjun Pathak

Read more: Essay on noise pollution

6. Complaint Letter to Post Office for Delay in Speed Post Delivery

Sender’s Address:
House No. 304, Sector 5,
Chandigarh – 160017

Date: 17 July 2025

To,
The Postmaster,
Head Post Office,
Chandigarh

Subject: Complaint regarding delay in delivery of important document

Respected Sir/Madam,

I had sent a speed post (Tracking ID: AB123456789) from Chandigarh to Delhi on 10 July 2025. The package contained important academic documents. As of today, 17 July, the post has still not been delivered.

This delay may cause problems in my college admission process. I kindly request you to look into the matter urgently and ensure delivery at the earliest.

Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Kavita Sharma

You might like: Essay on importance of communication

Conclusion

Complaint letters are an important part of formal communication. By learning how to write them properly, you become a more confident and responsible citizen. Make sure to follow the format, be polite yet firm, and mention all facts clearly. The more you practice, the better you’ll get!

Keep exploring more formats like notice writing, essay writing, and application writing.

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