NTM8,

I would also highly recommend sending the letter registered mail. My own personal experience with this type of landlord was that she attempted to keep our security deposit to fix things that were her responsibility. I would mention in the letter the improvements that you’ve made to the property without compensation and repairs that you’ve been waiting for him to make.

Something along the lines:

Dear Sir,

Due to your recent request for an increase in the rent, increase due to my therapy dog, and incomplete repairs I find it necessary to terminate our rental agreement. As you know I have requested (list repairs needed and dates when he was notified) and these things have not been repaired in a timely manner. We have made every effort to make this relationship work including making repairs at our own expense (list improvements with costs and dates).

Please consider this my written notice. I will be vacating (property address) on (date). I would like to schedule a walk through at your earliest convenience so that my security deposit of (amount) will be released at the earliest possible date. Please record my new address of x, for your records so that there are no communication problems in the future.

Thank you,