Renting an Apartment — Easy English Conversation

Transcript

Introduction

A: Today we’re renting an apartment.

B: The English you need to answer an ad, ask the right questions, look at a place, and say yes.

A: Listen for these: to look for a place, Is it still available?, to view an apartment, How much is the rent?, a deposit, and to move in — and a few more along the way.

B: One thing first. Renting rules change from country to country — deposits, contracts, who pays what — so today is about the words, not the law.

A: Stay to the end: three role-plays, and a quick review to check you’ve got them.

B: Practice today’s phrases in Recursio — link in the description.

Looking for a place

A: So I want to move. Where do I start?

B: You start looking for a place. It means you’re trying to find a new home — that’s the search phase.

A: “To look for a place.” “I’ve been looking for a place for two months.”

B: You’ll also hear “to look for an apartment,” or in British English, “a flat.”

A: Same thing, different word. And where do people look?

B: Websites, apps, and sometimes a sign in a window. The ad itself — that’s a listing.

A: And what’s in a listing?

B: The number of rooms, the size, the price, the neighborhood, and some very optimistic photos.

A: Always optimistic. What do the words in a listing mean?

B: “Studio” — one room, with the kitchen in it. “One-bedroom” — a bedroom plus a living room.

A: And in some countries they count differently, don’t they?

B: They do. In parts of Europe a “two-room apartment” means two rooms in total. So always ask.

A: Good. And what does “furnished” mean?

B: Furnished means the furniture is already there — a bed, a table, chairs.

A: And unfurnished is empty.

B: Often empty. What stays in the apartment varies, so check whether appliances, curtains, and light fixtures are included.

A: That’s a surprise you only get once. And the first question I send?

B: “Hi, I saw your listing. Is it still available?”

A: “Is it still available?” Short, and it saves everybody time.

B: Because a listing may still be online after someone has rented the place.

The money words

A: Okay, it’s available. Now the numbers.

B: First one: the rent. That’s the money you pay every month to live there.

A: “How much is the rent?” That’s the direct question.

B: And you can ask it softly: “Could you tell me how much the rent is?”

A: Same question, more polite. What’s next?

B: The deposit. That’s money you may pay at the start as security during the rental period.

A: “A deposit.” “How much is the deposit?”

B: And this is one of those things that changes completely from country to country. How much, who holds it, what can be taken out of it — all different.

A: So ask how it works where you live, and get the details in writing.

B: Then: “Are bills included?”

A: Bills are the monthly costs — electricity, water, heating, internet.

B: If bills are included, the rent covers them. If not, you pay them separately, so your total monthly cost is higher than the rent alone.

A: “Are bills included?” That question can change the price by a lot.

B: Especially heating, in a cold country. Ask what it costs in the coldest month, not the warmest.

A: That’s good advice. Any other money words?

B: In American English you’ll often hear “utilities” for electricity, water and gas together. And sometimes there’s an agency fee, if you go through an agency.

A: A fee is money you pay for a service — here, for finding you the apartment.

B: Right. Whether an agency can charge that fee, and who pays it, depends on local rules. Ask before you agree to anything.

A: And a tenant is the person who rents.

B: The tenant rents; the landlord is the person you rent from. If it’s a woman, you’ll sometimes hear “landlady,” but “landlord” works for both.

The viewing

A: Now I go and see it. What’s that called?

B: To view an apartment. Or just, “Can I come and see it?”

A: “To view an apartment.” “I’m viewing two places on Saturday.”

B: A viewing may be short, so it helps to know your questions before you arrive.

A: So I should know what to ask before I get there.

B: Exactly. Five questions. “How much is the rent?” “How much is the deposit?”

A: “Are bills included?” “How long is the contract?”

B: And the one people forget: “Is there anything that needs fixing?”

A: I might also ask when the apartment is available and whether there are any rules about pets.

B: Good. Choose the questions that matter for your situation, and write the answers down after the viewing.

A: And once I’m there, what should I actually look at?

B: Water pressure — turn on the faucet. In British English, the tap.

A: Windows too — do they close properly. And then listen.

B: Listen to what?

A: The street. The neighbors. The pipes. A quiet apartment at eleven in the morning can be a different place at eleven at night.

B: True. And ask how much storage there is — closet space, in American English. Also where the trash goes, and whether there’s a laundry room.

A: And if I want to say something politely — the place is small, but I’m still interested?

B: “It’s a bit small.” That’s the polite version of “this is tiny.”

A: “It’s a bit small, but the light is nice.”

B: Perfect. In many comments, “a bit” makes the wording sound softer.

A: And if I hate it?

B: “Thank you for showing me. I’ll think about it.” That’s a polite way to leave without deciding immediately.

Saying yes

A: I like it. I want it. What do I say?

B: “I’ll take it.” It’s a direct, informal way to say you want the apartment.

A: “I’ll take it.” And then?

B: Then you confirm the details and sign a lease. A lease is the rental agreement that explains the price, the length, and the rules.

A: “To sign a lease.” “We signed a lease for one year.”

B: You’ll also hear “rental agreement,” or in Britain, “tenancy agreement.” Same idea.

A: And before I sign — should I read it?

B: Read all of it. Pay special attention to how the agreement ends. If something isn’t clear, ask a question or get local advice before you sign.

A: And what’s the phrase for formally telling the landlord that I plan to leave?

B: To give notice. “I gave notice last week.” “My agreement says I have to give one month’s notice.”

A: And how long is that? One month? Three?

B: Check both your agreement and the local rules. The required timing isn’t the same everywhere.

A: Good. And then the best day.

B: Then you move in. To move in means to bring your things and start living there.

A: “We’re moving in on the first.” “When can I move in?”

B: And the opposite is to move out. You move out of the old place, and you move into the new one.

A: One more useful step for day one: record the condition of the apartment.

B: You might take dated photos of marks or scratches and keep copies of any check-in documents.

A: In some places, you and the landlord or agent also complete an inventory when you get the keys.

B: Ask what the official process is where you live, and keep a copy of everything you sign.

A: And if you want to remember these phrases, save them in Recursio, and it’ll remind you before you forget them.

When something breaks

B: Now let’s skip forward. You’ve moved in, and something goes wrong.

A: The shower isn’t working.

B: Then you message the landlord — or the agency, if that’s who you deal with. And there’s a simple pattern: what’s wrong, since when, and a question.

A: Like what?

B: “Hi, the shower isn’t working — no hot water since yesterday evening. Could you send someone to look at it?”

A: Short, clear, no anger.

B: Exactly. If nobody responds, you can follow up and ask when the problem will be handled.

A: What’s the word for a person who fixes things in a building?

B: Often a “building manager.” In some American apartment buildings, you’ll hear “super,” short for superintendent. For specific jobs: a plumber for water, an electrician for electricity.

A: And “it’s broken” versus “it’s not working”?

B: “Broken” is stronger — something is physically damaged. “Not working” is anything that won’t do its job.

A: So the elevator isn’t working, but the window is broken.

B: Exactly. And one more phrase for the message: “It’s urgent.” Use it when it really is.

A: Or “This can’t wait.” Same idea, a bit stronger.

B: Let’s put the whole thing together now, from the beginning.

Practice

A: I’ll answer a listing. You be the landlord.

B: Hello?

A: Hi, good afternoon. I’m calling about the apartment on Green Street. Is it still available?

B: It is, yes.

A: Great. Could you tell me how much the rent is?

B: Eight hundred a month.

A: And are bills included?

B: Water and heating are included. Electricity and internet are separate.

A: Okay. How much is the deposit?

B: One month’s rent.

A: Is it furnished?

B: Mostly. There’s a bed, a table, and a closet. No washing machine.

A: Good to know. Could I come and see it this week?

B: Thursday evening? Around six?

A: Thursday at six works. My name is Anna Petrova.

B: See you then.

A: Six questions, and I know the key details before I’ve walked anywhere.

B: Now the viewing itself. I’ll show you around.

A: Thank you for making the time.

B: Come in. So this is the main room, and the kitchen is through there.

A: It’s bright. Which way does it face?

B: South, so you get sun in the afternoon.

A: Nice. It’s a bit small, but I like the light.

B: It’s cozy. That’s what we say in the listing, anyway.

A: That’s honest. Can I try the water?

B: Go ahead.

A: Good pressure. And how old is the heating?

B: Two years. It was replaced before the last tenant moved in.

A: Is there anything that needs fixing?

B: The window in the bedroom sticks a little.

A: Sticks — so it’s hard to open?

B: A bit. I’ll get that done before you move in.

A: And how long is the contract?

B: One year.

A: And after a year — does it end, or does it renew by itself?

B: The lease explains what happens after the first year. I’ll show you that section.

A: Could I have a day to think about it?

B: Of course. I have another viewing tomorrow, so let me know by tomorrow evening.

A: I will. Thank you for showing me.

B: And look at that — not one difficult sentence in the whole conversation.

A: Can we do the end too? A year later, I’m leaving.

B: Good idea. That’s the conversation nobody practices. Call me.

A: Hi Peter, I’m calling to give notice. I’d like to move out at the end of May.

B: Okay. Let me check the contract — how much notice do you have to give?

A: The lease says one month. Could you confirm that you’ve received my notice in writing?

B: Of course. I’ll email you today.

A: And when do I get the deposit back?

B: We’ll do a final check together when you hand over the keys. The agreement explains the next steps and timing.

A: Perfect. I have photos from the day I moved in, if we need them.

B: Even better if we signed a form back then. Did we?

A: We did.

B: Then we both have a clear record of the apartment’s condition.

A: And that’s the whole year, in three short conversations.

Quick review

B: Let’s do a quick review. I’ll ask a question, you answer in your head, and then you’ll hear the answer.

A: Let’s go.

B: You’re searching for somewhere to live. What are you doing?

A: Looking for a place.

B: You saw a listing online and want to know if the apartment is still available. What do you ask?

A: Is it still available?

B: Money you may pay at the start as security during the rental period. What is it?

A: A deposit.

B: You want to know if electricity and water are inside the price. How do you ask?

A: Are bills included?

B: You’re formally telling the landlord that you plan to leave. What are you doing?

A: Giving notice.

B: And the day you bring your things and start living there. What are you doing?

A: Moving in.

B: Perfect. You’ve got them all.

Outro

A: So today we learned the English for renting a place to live.

B: To look for a place. Is it still available? Furnished. How much is the rent?

A: A deposit. Are bills included? A landlord. Is there anything that needs fixing?

B: To view an apartment. It’s a bit small. I’ll take it. To sign a lease. To give notice. And to move in.

A: Remember, these questions are useful in many places, but the rules and answers vary. Check what applies where you live.

B: And the companion story, “The Apartment with the Green Door,” puts most of these phrases into one afternoon.

A: If you want to review these phrases and remember them, open the link below and practice them in Recursio.

B: Thank you so much for listening, and see you in the next episode.