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Complaint Letter
I need a complaint letter to address a recent issue with a product purchased online, requesting a full refund due to the item being defective upon arrival. The letter should include details of the purchase, the defect, and a request for a resolution within 14 days.
What is a Complaint Letter?
A Complaint Letter is a formal written communication that details specific grievances about products, services, or conduct that failed to meet expected standards. Under Belgian consumer protection laws, these letters serve as important first steps in resolving disputes between customers and businesses, often referencing the specific rights outlined in Book VI of the Belgian Economic Law Code.
Filing a clear, well-documented complaint letter creates an official record and can help resolve issues without legal action. Belgian law requires businesses to acknowledge complaints within 5 working days, making these letters powerful tools for consumers seeking remedies. They're particularly effective when sent by registered mail ("aangetekende brief" / "lettre recommand茅e") to establish proof of delivery.
When should you use a Complaint Letter?
Send a Complaint Letter when a product or service significantly fails to meet your expectations and initial attempts to resolve the issue have failed. This formal step becomes essential for documenting serious problems with Belgian businesses, from defective goods to poor service quality to billing disputes. Under Belgian consumer protection laws, a formal complaint creates important legal evidence of your attempt to resolve the issue.
Time matters - Belgian law typically requires consumers to report problems within two months of discovery. The letter becomes particularly valuable when dealing with large companies, regulated industries like banking or telecommunications, or situations where you need to preserve your right to seek compensation through legal channels. Many Belgian consumer protection bodies also require documented complaints before they can intervene.
What are the different types of Complaint Letter?
- Complaint Letter About Product Quality: Details specific defects or quality issues with purchased goods, citing Belgian consumer protection laws
- Complaint Letter About Service: Addresses inadequate or unsatisfactory service delivery from businesses or professionals
- Complaint Letter For High Electricity Bill: Disputes utility billing errors or unexplained charges with energy providers
- Complaint Letter Against Coworker: Documents workplace misconduct or professional concerns within Belgian employment law framework
- Complaint Letter About Supervisor: Addresses management-related issues while following Belgian workplace hierarchy protocols
Who should typically use a Complaint Letter?
- Individual Consumers: Write Complaint Letters to address issues with products, services, or business practices that violate their rights under Belgian consumer protection laws
- Business Customers: Draft formal complaints regarding B2B transactions, supplier issues, or service agreements within Belgian commercial law
- Customer Service Departments: Receive and process Complaint Letters, required by law to acknowledge receipt within 5 working days
- Legal Representatives: Help draft and review complaints, especially for complex cases or when legal action might follow
- Consumer Protection Organizations: Guide consumers in writing effective complaints and may act as intermediaries in dispute resolution
How do you write a Complaint Letter?
- Documentation: Gather all relevant receipts, contracts, photos, emails, and records of previous communication attempts
- Timeline: Note exact dates of purchases, incidents, or service failures within the Belgian two-month reporting window
- Contact Details: Verify the correct company address and responsible department for formal complaints
- Legal Requirements: Our platform ensures your Complaint Letter includes all mandatory elements under Belgian consumer protection laws
- Delivery Method: Prepare to send via registered mail ("aangetekende brief") for legal proof of receipt
- Follow-up Plan: Create a tracking system for the mandatory 5-day response window and subsequent actions
What should be included in a Complaint Letter?
- Header Information: Your full contact details, recipient's name and address, date, and reference numbers
- Issue Description: Clear, factual account of the problem with specific dates and relevant details
- Legal Basis: Reference to applicable Belgian consumer protection laws or contractual terms that support your complaint
- Documentation List: Mention of all enclosed evidence (receipts, photos, previous correspondence)
- Specific Remedy: Clear statement of the desired resolution (refund, replacement, compensation)
- Response Timeline: Reference to the 5-working-day acknowledgment requirement under Belgian law
- Closing Statement: Professional signature block and indication of delivery method (registered mail)
What's the difference between a Complaint Letter and a Dispute Letter?
A Complaint Letter and a Dispute Letter serve different purposes in Belgian legal communication, though they're often confused. While both address grievances, their scope, timing, and legal implications differ significantly.
- Legal Intent: Complaint Letters typically serve as initial notifications of dissatisfaction, while Dispute Letters formally contest specific claims or charges
- Timing: Complaints often come first in the resolution process, whereas Dispute Letters usually follow failed complaint attempts or specific legal violations
- Required Evidence: Complaint Letters can be more general in nature, while Dispute Letters must include specific legal grounds and detailed supporting documentation
- Response Requirements: Belgian law mandates 5-day acknowledgment for complaints, but Dispute Letters often trigger more formal response obligations
- Legal Weight: Dispute Letters carry stronger legal implications and are more commonly used as evidence in formal proceedings or arbitration
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