Renting a flat (articles)

1. Discuss different things you need to have in a place you rent. Think
about the situations below.
 on holiday
 when you move to a new city to study
 on a business trip

2. Listen to a landlord talking about a flat [https://youtu.be/Nig4FsEZqNA] and

answer the questions.
a) How many bedrooms are there?
b) How many balconies are there? utilities:
c) Is it far from the city centre? services such as gas,
d) Do you need to pay for gas and electricity? electricity and water

e) Who is the flat good for in your opinion?

f) Would you like to rent it? Why/Why not?

3. Read the transcript of the recording from ex. 2. Look at the words and
phrases in bold and match them with the rules below. Find one more
example in the text for each rule.
I can tell you more about our flat. There is a nice big kitchen for people who like cooking.
There are many things in the kitchen: a cooker, a kettle, a microwave, a dining table
with chairs. By the way, the chairs are super comfortable so you can even work at the
table. There is a big master bedroom and a smaller bedroom for kids. In the master
bedroom we have a king-size bed and a small dresser. In the smaller bedroom, we
have a single bed and a sofa. There's also a balcony with a wonderful view. It’s about a
ten-minute drive to the city centre which means the place is quiet but also
convenient. There is a bus that takes you wherever you need. Also, the price includes
utilities.

a) it’s singular and not specific and/or it’s mentioned for the first time
b) it’s plural and not specific and/or mentioned for the first time
c) something we mention for the second time (plural or singular)
d) a specific thing or one of its kind

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 Renting a flat (articles)

4. Match the situations (a–b) to the sentences (1–2).

a) My computer broke.
1) I need to buy a laptop.
b) I dropped a computer in a tech
2) I need to buy the laptop.
shop and it broke.

a) I have a problem with the

electricity in my flat. Who should I 1) a landlord
call? 2) the landlord
b) What do we call a person who
rents out their flat?

a) I usually prefer living alone. 1) I don’t get on with flatmates.

b) I want to find a new flat. 2) I don’t get on with the
flatmates.

5. Listen to another landlord talking about a flat

[https://youtu.be/q20WNEiVqVY] and say what’s
missing.

6. Look at the transcript of the recording from ex. 5 and complete it with
articles where necessary.
Our flat is small but cosy. You have everything you need: tiny equipped kitchen, well-
organized workplace next to window and comfortable bed. There is also wardrobe and
bathroom with shower and washing machine. We have four neighbours. And I have to
say, neighbours are nice and friendly. Our place is in city centre so you can’t find better
location. There are cool cafés and shops nearby. There’s also big park and lake in
neighbourhood. You can actually swim in lake. As flat is small, you can't have
flatmates.

7. Complete the sentences with your ideas. Use articles.

a) I live in…
d) In my flat/house, I have…
b) My flat/house is in…
e) I need to buy… for my
c) In my neighbourhood, there
flat/house.
is/there are…
f) I would like to replace…

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 Renting a flat (articles)

8. Discuss the questions.

 Is it difficult to rent a flat where you live?
 What are some rules you have to follow?
 Are flats for rent usually furnished? What furniture would
you like to have in a rented flat?
 Can you easily rent a flat if you have a pet? What about children?
 Where would you prefer to rent a flat: in the city centre or a residential area?
 Have you ever rented a flat on Airbnb? How was your experience?

9. Look at the pictures from an ad and think of as many questions to ask the
landlord as possible.

10. Do a role play. Use some of your questions from ex. 9 and some more.
Role play 1
Role play 2
Person A Person B
You are a landlord
Personwho
A needs You are looking for a B
Person flat.
to rent
You out
are their flat of
a parent as two
soonkids
as You work
You arefrom home who
a landlord and needs
who ispossible.
looking for a flat. have a pet.
to rent outYou
theirareflat
very
as soon as
There are a lot of things you difficult topossible.
please.
need to have in a new flat.

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