LIFE SKILLS ENGLISH FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS: RENTING AN APARTMENT 1

VOCABULARY BUILDER:

Lease = A rental agreement between the owner of the house/apartment and the tenant. Many leases are for one year.

To give notice = To let someone know that you will be leaving (in this case a house/apartment)

Damage deposit = Money that you give to the manager/owner of the house/apartment to cover any potential damage to the property while you stay there. Deposits are usually returned to you when you leave, unless, of course, you damage something.

Credit check = Checking to see whether or not your credit score is good enough to rent a house/apartment

Utilities = Gas, electricity, water, etc.

Eviction = When you are forced to leave a property, usually because of a failure to pay

Off-street parking = Private garage, parking lot, etc.

THINGS TO LISTEN FOR:

There's an open house from 6-8 this evening. = There will be a public showing of the property to potential renters between 6 and 8 this evening. An "open house" means you can come anytime during this time without an appointment.

Do you have any references? = Do you have people who can vouch for you? (In this case, people who can say positive things about your rental history, etc.)

You'll need to provide proof of income. = You'll need to show proof of how much money you make.

This is a studio apartment. (in some countries known as a "bachelor apartment") = This is a one-room apartment (with or without separate kitchen)

Your application was denied. = You did not get the apartment. Your application was rejected.