Sample Denial Letters

Find inspiration in our curated catalog of denial letters. Each sample letter comes with guidelines and advice to help you find the right words.

Denial Letters

Denial letters are letters sent to reject previous requests made by the recipients politely. These could be from employers rejecting a leave of absence for their employees, home owners rejecting prospective tenants' applications, or lenders rejecting loan applications from customers. They could also be from individuals declining an offer, a gift, or a proposal. Simply put, denial letters can be used in any scenario that needs a formal rejection. Denial letters are unpleasant to write, and most people put them off and let their silence do the talking. That is a missed opportunity (and sometimes rude). Though painful, it is better to give a quick "no" than not giving anything at all.

That said, writing good rejection letters forces you to think about what you really need from other people. Be brief and most importantly, if you do not have a close relationship with the recipient, the entire letter should be just a few lines. Use a pleasant tone that expresses sincere apology. Say thanks for the request and deliver the "rejection" news. Give the reason for rejection and if possible, offer an alternative. End by thanking the recipient for his/her understanding and wish him/her luck in the future.

Reject a bid or proposal. Sample letter
Reject a bid. Sample letter
Reject a proposal. Sample letter
Sample letter to decline a bid in landscaping project
Reject or terminate a business relationship. Sample letter
Terminate a business relationship. Sample letter
Sample letter to reject a service booking
Sample letter to reject a bid in rewiring project
Reject an order but offer alternative item - sample letter
Sample letter to reject an order but offer alternative item
Reject an order but provide substitute item - sample letter
Sample letter to decline an order but provide substitute item
Decline a gift in a polite way - sample letter
Decline a present - sample letter
Reject a request to write an endorsement - letter sample
Sample letter to decline a gift of game tickets
Sample letter to decline a request to write a recommendation
Sample letter to decline an offer to look after a pet
Sample letter to reject a request for advice on investing
Sample letter to reject a request to write an endorsement
Reject a gift - sample letter
Reject a gift of game tickets - sample letter
Sample letter to reject a dictionary as a gift
Sample letter to reject a leather bag as a gift
Decline a credit request. Sample letter
Decline a request for credit. Sample letter
Sample letter to decline a credit card application
Sample letter to decline a credit request
Sample letter to decline a request for assistance on divorce
Decline orders or requests for information. Sample letter
Sample letter to decline a request for additional brochures
Sample letter to decline a request for photos
Reject a request for salary raise - example letter
Decline an invitation to an event. Sample letter
Decline an invitation to an event. Sample letter
Decline an invitation to speak or perform. Sample letter
Letter example to reject an event invitation
Reject an invitation to perform at an event - sample letter
Sample letter to reject an invitation to perform at an event
Sample letter to decline a request for a relationship advice
Sample letter to decline an advice request on trading
Example letter to decline charity due to restrained budget
Letter to decline donation to a refuge due to exhausted budget
Letter to reject donation plea due to company's policy
Reject a request for monetary donation - sample letter
Reject donation request due to depleted budget letter
Sample letter to reject a request for monetary donation
Sample rejection letter of donation requests due to policy change
Letter to reject a job due to active contract with employer
Reject a job offer due to residence transfer sample letter

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