General Training Writing Task 1 · formal · application

Application letter for an apartment property management position: IELTS formal letter sample

An IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 formal letter with a Band 8 sample answer, why it scores well and the phrases worth borrowing for your own letter writing.
  • 196 words
  • Formal letters
  • Application
  • 20 minutes

The task

You have seen an advertisement in a newspaper for a property management position at an apartment complex. You want to apply for the job.

Write a letter to the manager of the apartment complex, and express your interest in the job. In your letter:

  • →mention why you are writing
  • →say why you are suitable for the job
  • →explain how you would approach the position

Write at least 150 words. You do not need to write any addresses. Begin your letter: Dear ...,

Model answer

Band 8 sample letter

Band 8196 words. Names and details are invented; write your own.

Dear Mr. Henderson,

I am writing to formally express my interest in the property management position at Oakwood Heights, as advertised in the Daily Gazette last Tuesday. Having resided in large residential complexes for many years, I am keen to contribute my professional skills to your esteemed team.

My background is in hospitality management, where I spent five years overseeing facility operations and tenant relations. This experience has equipped me with the ability to handle maintenance requests efficiently while maintaining high standards of communal living. Furthermore, my proficiency in accounting software ensures that I can manage rent collection and administrative documentation with precision.

If appointed, my primary approach would be to prioritise transparent communication with all residents. I believe that proactive maintenance and regular community updates are essential to fostering a positive living environment. Additionally, I intend to implement a digital feedback system to identify and resolve any operational issues swiftly, ensuring that the property remains both well-maintained and highly desirable for current and prospective tenants.

Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my curriculum vitae for your review and look forward to the possibility of discussing this role further.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Miller

Write your own and get a band

Answer this prompt in a timed General Training writing test and get a band for task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar, with the sentences to fix.

Write a letter, get a band free →

Examiner's view

Why this scores well

This letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all three bullet points with coherent, professional detail while maintaining a consistent formal register. A common Band 6 error is failing to explain the 'approach' to the position, instead providing a generic list of qualifications without describing the actual management style.

  • →Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.
  • →If you know the person's surname, use Dear Mr or Ms and close with Yours sincerely.
  • →No contractions, no slang; polite indirect requests such as I would be grateful if you could.

6 phrases

Useful phrases from the letter

  • esteemed

    highly respected and admired by other people

  • equipped

    provided with the necessary skills or tools

  • proficiency

    a high degree of competence or skill

  • prioritise

    to treat something as being more important

  • fostering

    encouraging the development of something positive

  • curriculum vitae

    a written summary of professional and academic history

Frequently asked questions

Is this letter formal or informal?+

Formal. Write to an organisation or someone you do not know: open with Dear Sir or Madam, close with Yours faithfully.

How many words should an IELTS General Training letter be?+

At least 150 words, and 160 to 200 is the comfortable range. Spend about 20 minutes on it and leave 40 for Task 2, which carries twice the marks.

What does the examiner look for?+

This letter achieves Band 8 by addressing all three bullet points with coherent, professional detail while maintaining a consistent formal register. A common Band 6 error is failing to explain the 'approach' to the position, instead providing a generic list of qualifications without describing the actual management style.

Keep practising

More application letters

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Write a letter, get a band free