Compilation of 4 English conversations about renting a house

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Navigating the rental market in English-speaking countries requires mastering specific conversation skills that can determine your success in securing the perfect home. Whether you're searching for your first apartment in London, a family house in Toronto, or a studio flat in Sydney, understanding how to conduct effective English conversations about renting a house will give you a significant advantage over other applicants. These conversations follow predictable patterns and structures that, once mastered, enable you to present yourself as a professional, reliable tenant while gathering all the essential information needed to make informed decisions about your future home.

Compilation of 4 English conversations about renting a house

I. English vocabulary about renting a house
II. Communication phrases for renting a house in English
III. Popular English conversations about renting a house
IV. Learn English conversations about renting a house through Videos

I. English vocabulary about renting a house

Before delving into English conversations about renting a house, let's take a look at common vocabulary related to this topic. Check them out below with PREP!

No.	Word & Pronunciation	Meaning	Example
1	Landlord /ˈlændlɔːd/	A person who owns a house, flat, etc. and rents it to other people	The landlord showed me around the apartment personally.
2	Tenant /ˈtenənt/	A person who pays rent for the use of a room, building, or land	As a tenant, you're responsible for keeping the property clean.
3	Lease /liːs/	A legal agreement that allows you to use a building or land for a period of time in return for rent	I signed a two-year lease for the apartment.
4	Rent /rent/	Money that you pay regularly to use a house, room, etc.	The monthly rent is £1,200 including water.
5	Security deposit /sɪˈkjʊərəti dɪˈpɒzɪt/	Money paid in advance as security for possible damage or non-payment of rent	The security deposit is usually one month's rent.
6	Utilities /juːˈtɪlətiz/	Services such as water, electricity, gas that are provided for buildings	Are utilities included in the rent price?
7	References /ˈrefrənsɪz/	Letters from previous landlords or employers that confirm your reliability	You'll need to provide two references with your application.
8	Application /ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃn/	A formal written request for something, especially a job, place at college, or permission to do something	Please fill out this rental application form.
9	Viewing /ˈvjuːɪŋ/	An occasion when you look around a house that you are thinking of buying or renting	I have a viewing scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
10	Studio apartment /ˈstuːdiəʊ əˈpɑːtmənt/	A small apartment with one main room	The studio apartment is perfect for a single person.
11	One-bedroom /wʌn ˈbedruːm/	An apartment or flat with one separate bedroom	I'm looking for a one-bedroom flat in the city center.
12	Furnished /ˈfɜːnɪʃt/	(of a room or house) containing furniture	The flat comes fully furnished with modern appliances.
13	Unfurnished /ʌnˈfɜːnɪʃt/	(of a room or house) not containing furniture	I prefer unfurnished apartments so I can use my own furniture.
14	Council tax /ˈkaʊnsl tæks/	(in Britain) a tax paid to local government based on the value of your home	Council tax is included in the monthly rent.
15	Estate agent /ɪˈsteɪt ˌeɪdʒənt/	(British) A person whose job is to buy and sell houses and land for other people	The estate agent will show you three properties today.
16	Realtor /ˈriːəltə/	(American) A person whose job is to buy and sell houses and land for other people	Our realtor found us the perfect family home.
17	Inventory /ˈɪnvəntri/	A detailed list of furniture and fittings in a rented property	We need to check the inventory before you move in.
18	Notice period /ˈnəʊtɪs ˌpɪəriəd/	The amount of time you must give before leaving a rented property	The lease requires a one-month notice period.
19	Tenancy agreement /ˈtenənsi əˌɡriːmənt/	A legal document that sets out the terms for renting a property	Please read the tenancy agreement carefully before signing.
20	Deposit /dɪˈpɒzɪt/	A sum of money paid as security	You'll get your deposit back if there's no damage to the property.
21	Upfront costs /ˈʌpfrʌnt kɒsts/	Money that must be paid at the beginning of a rental agreement	The upfront costs include first month's rent and security deposit.
22	Maintenance /ˈmeɪntənəns/	The work of keeping something in good condition	Who is responsible for maintenance and repairs?
23	Parking space /ˈpɑːkɪŋ speɪs/	An area where you can leave a car	Does the apartment come with a parking space?
24	Ground floor /ɡraʊnd flɔː/	(British) The floor of a building that is at the same level as the ground outside	The flat is on the ground floor with garden access.
25	First floor /fɜːst flɔː/	(British) The floor above the ground floor; (American) The floor at ground level	The apartment is on the first floor with street views.
26	Balcony /ˈbælkəni/	A platform with a wall or rail around it, built on the outside wall of a building	The bedroom has a small balcony overlooking the garden.
27	Garden /ˈɡɑːdn/	(British) An area of land next to or around your house where you can grow flowers, fruit, vegetables, etc.	The house has a lovely private garden.
28	Yard /jɑːd/	(American) An area of land next to or around your house, usually with grass	The backyard is perfect for barbecues in summer.
29	Neighborhood /ˈneɪbəhʊd/	An area of a town where people live	What's the neighborhood like around here?
30	Commute /kəˈmjuːt/	To travel regularly between work and home	How long is the commute to the city center?
31	Proximity /prɒkˈsɪməti/	Nearness in space or time	I chose this flat because of its proximity to the university.
32	Amenities /əˈmiːnətiz/	Features that make a place comfortable or easy to live in	The building has great amenities including a gym and pool.
33	Laundry /ˈlɔːndri/	Clothes, sheets, etc. that need washing or have been washed	Is there a laundry room in the building?
34	Storage /ˈstɔːrɪdʒ/	Space available for keeping things	The apartment has plenty of storage space.
35	Heating /ˈhiːtɪŋ/	Equipment used to make a building warm	What type of heating system does the house have?
36	Air conditioning /eə kənˈdɪʃənɪŋ/	A system that makes the air in a room or building cooler and drier	Does the apartment have air conditioning?
37	Broadband /ˈbrɔːdbænd/	A method of connecting to the internet that allows you to send and receive information very quickly	Is broadband internet included in the rent?
38	White goods /waɪt ɡʊdz/	(British) Large electrical equipment for the house such as washing machines and refrigerators	The kitchen comes with all white goods included.
39	Appliances /əˈplaɪənsɪz/	Machines designed to perform a specific task, typically a domestic one	All kitchen appliances are less than two years old.
40	Water pressure /ˈwɔːtə ˌpreʃə/	The force with which water flows from taps, shower heads, etc.	How's the water pressure in the shower?
41	Mold /məʊld/	A green, blue, or black substance that grows on walls or other surfaces in wet conditions	Have you had any problems with mold in the bathroom?
42	Damp /dæmp/	Slightly wet, often in an unpleasant way	The basement can get a bit damp in winter.
43	Insulation /ˌɪnsjʊˈleɪʃn/	Material used to prevent heat, sound, or electricity from passing through	The house has good insulation to keep heating costs down.
44	Loft /lɒft/	(British) A space under the roof of a house, often used for storing things	There's additional storage space in the loft.
45	Basement /ˈbeɪsmənt/	A room or rooms in a building that are below the level of the ground	The basement could be converted into an office space.
46	Ceiling /ˈsiːlɪŋ/	The top inside surface of a room	The living room has beautiful high ceilings.
47	Fixtures /ˈfɪkstʃəz/	Things such as baths, lights, etc. that are fixed in a house or building and are sold with it	All light fixtures are included in the rental.
48	Fittings /ˈfɪtɪŋz/	(British) Items such as a cooker or refrigerator that can be removed from a house	Kitchen fittings are all in excellent condition.
49	Condition /kənˈdɪʃn/	The state that something is in	The property is in excellent condition throughout.
50	Move-in date /muːv ɪn deɪt/	The day when you can start living in a rented property	What's the earliest possible move-in date?

II. Communication phrases for renting a house in English

PREP has collected and compiled 15 useful communication phrases for renting a house in English. These phrases will help you engage in conversations and enhance your language skills. Let’s take a look and apply them in your English conversations about renting a house!

I'm interested in renting a house. Do you have any available?
What are the rental rates for the properties you have?
Could you show me some options for rental properties?
Is there a security deposit required for renting the house?
Are utilities included in the rent?
Can I schedule a viewing for the rental property?
What is the lease term for this rental?
Are pets allowed in the rental property?
Is there parking available for tenants?
Can you provide information about the neighborhood the rental property is located in?
Are there any restrictions or rules for tenants in the rental agreement?
Is there a rental application process?
Are there any maintenance or repair responsibilities for tenants?
Can you provide references from previous tenants?

III. Popular English conversations about renting a house

Here are 3 popular English conversations about renting a house that PREP has gathered and compiled. Take a look and learn from the conversation between landlord and tenant below!

1. Conversation 1: House searching

Sarah: Hey, Alex! Have you had any luck finding a place to rent yet?
Alex: Hey, Sarah! Not yet, I've been searching online and making some calls, but nothing seems to fit what I'm looking for.
Sarah: I know what you mean. It's tough finding something that meets all our criteria within our budget. Have you considered expanding your search to different neighborhoods?
Alex: Yeah, I've been thinking about that. I'm just worried about commuting to work if I move too far away.
Sarah: That's understandable. But sometimes, you can find hidden gems in neighboring areas that are still convenient for commuting.
Alex: That's a good point. I'll keep that in mind. How about you? Have you found anything promising?
Sarah: Not yet, but I'm staying hopeful. I have a few viewings lined up this week, so fingers crossed I'll find something I like.
Alex: That's great! What are you looking for in a rental?
Sarah: I'm mainly focused on finding a place with enough space for me and my dog, preferably with a backyard or nearby park. And of course, it needs to be within my budget.
Alex: Sounds like a good plan. Let me know if you need any help.
Sarah: Thanks, Alex! I appreciate it.

2. Conversation 2: Exchanging house information

Landlord: Hello, this is Mr. Smith speaking. How can I help you?
Student: Hi, Mr. Smith! My name is Emily. I'm a student at the university and I saw your rental listing online. I'm interested in learning more about the house you have available for rent.
Landlord: Hello, Emily! I'm glad to hear you're interested. The house is a cozy three-bedroom located on Maple Street, just a few blocks away from the university campus.
Student: That sounds great! Can you tell me a bit more about the amenities and utilities included in the rent?
Landlord: Of course. The house comes fully furnished with basic furniture and appliances, including a washer and dryer. Utilities such as water, electricity, and internet are included in the rent as well.
Student: That's convenient! What about parking? Is there space for tenants to park their cars?
Landlord: Yes, there's a driveway with enough space for two cars, as well as street parking available for guests.
Student: Perfect! And what is the monthly rent for the house?
Landlord: The monthly rent is $1500, with a security deposit of one month's rent required upon signing the lease. The lease term is one year, starting from August 1st.
Student: That sounds reasonable. Can I schedule a time to view the house in person?
Landlord: Absolutely! I'm available to show you the house tomorrow afternoon if that works for you.

3. Conversation 3: The House Viewing

Landlord: Welcome! Come on in. This is the main living area.
You: Thank you for showing me around. The living room is really spacious, and I love how much natural light it gets.
Landlord: Yes, it faces south, so it's bright most of the day. Let me show you the kitchen.
You: This kitchen is lovely. How old are the appliances?
Landlord: The refrigerator and washing machine are about two years old. The oven is newer - we replaced it last year.
You: That's great. Could I check the water pressure in the bathroom?
Landlord: Of course, go ahead. The shower was recently upgraded.
You: The pressure is excellent. What are the neighbors like in this building?
Landlord: They're mostly young professionals, very quiet and friendly. The couple upstairs has been here for three years.
You: That sounds perfect. Is there parking available?
Landlord: There's one assigned parking space in the back, and street parking is usually easy to find.
You: Wonderful. If I'm interested in applying, what's the next step?
Landlord: I'd need you to fill out an application form and provide references from your previous landlord and employer.
You: I can provide both of those. How quickly are you looking to make a decision?
Landlord: I'm hoping to choose a tenant by the end of this week.

4. Conversation 4: Negotiating rental price

Student: Hi, Mr. Smith! I've had a chance to view the house, and I'm really interested in renting it.
Landlord: Hello, Emily! I'm glad to hear that. Did you like what you saw?
Student: Yes, definitely. The house is perfect for what I need, and the location is ideal for me as a student. I'd like to discuss finalizing the rental details if possible.
Landlord: Great! I'm happy to hear that you're interested. Let's talk about the rental price and terms. As mentioned earlier, the monthly rent is $1500, with a security deposit of one month's rent.
Student: That works for me. I'm prepared to pay the security deposit and sign the lease agreement today if everything looks good.
Landlord: Perfect. The lease term is one year, starting from August 1st, as we discussed. I'll prepare the lease agreement for you to review and sign.
Student: Sounds good. Can you also confirm the move-in date? I'd like to start moving in my belongings as soon as possible.
Landlord: Of course. You can move in starting August 1st. I'll make sure the house is ready for you by then.
Student: Excellent.

IV. Learn English conversations about renting a house through Videos

To practice English conversations about renting a house in a natural way, in addition to building vocabulary and using common phrases, you can also refer to videos on English conversations about renting a house. Learning through videos will help you accumulate vocabulary, common phrases, and improve your listening and speaking skills.

Below is a list of videos on English conversations about renting a house for you to explore. Take a look!

Mastering English conversations about renting a house transforms what can be a stressful and overwhelming process into a confident, strategic approach to finding your ideal home. The three key conversation phases—initial inquiry, property viewing, and offer finalization—provide a roadmap for success that works across all English-speaking rental markets, from bustling city centers to quiet suburban neighborhoods. By combining proper vocabulary usage, cultural awareness, and professional communication techniques, you'll not only secure better rental properties but also establish positive relationships with landlords and agents that can benefit you throughout your tenancy and beyond. Remember that these conversation skills improve with practice, so approach each rental interaction as an opportunity to refine your technique and move closer to finding the perfect place to call home.

Chloe

Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.