talking about HOUSING

Roger Jones Intensive Language Training Center Sichuan University, Chengdu

TERMS: housing accommodation residence / residential rental unit

TYPES OF HOUSING

Apartment (Flat)

Low-rise

High-rise

Detached house

Semi - detached house / duplex

Row house

Castle

Palace

v Houseboat

Mobile home

Traditional house

Modern house

APARTMENT HUNTING

Where to look: Apartment advertisements (newspapers, Craig’s List, University housing office) Internet (buyer beware!) Real estate agency (rental agency) Open house (anyone can come visit) Word of mouth FOR RENT sign – call for information Bulletin boards – coffee houses, supermarkets, etc.)

Bulletin board ad

Homestay http://www.homestayfinder.com/

A homestay allows you to stay with a family in your host country. It can help you to learn the language much faster, and to experience what "real life" is like in the host country.

Homestay

Los Angeles homestay listings Family of three: me, my wife and 11 year old son. West side near Santa Monica and Venice beaches. Very close to SMCC and UCLA and other schools. We will pick up and return to LAX airport. Local bus stops less than 200 feet from our back door. $180 per week shared room; $250 per week private room.

Amenities:

Furn. 1BR cheap!

Craigslist http://newyork.craigslist.org/ Website for each major USA city Rentals, for sale, personal ads, etc.

Craigslist – apartment listings in New York

Newspaper classified ad

Pet-friendly apartment?

Choose an apartment that already has kitchen appliances

Apartment Do you want to live alone or share? How much space do you need? What rent can you afford? What amenities do you want? Do you want to live on campus / off campus / close to campus / in a residential area? How secure (safe) is the building and neighborhood?

roommate or flatmate

Let’s visit some apartments

Briar Place, Chicago My first apartment

Furnished apartment

Unfurnished apartment

Studio (one room + kitchen & bath)

Briar Place, The Description All Units at 540 W. Briar have FREE HEAT! This charming vintage elevator midrise building is in the heart of all things Lakeview! Shopping, great restaurants, nightlife, and lake all within a few short blocks. 540 W. Briar has an on-site staff, laundry room, new windows, HWF, spacious shared main lobby, bike storage & workout room. Express bus around the corner & walking distance to the El. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT.

Briar Place, The Amenities Cable Ready Emergency Maintenance Fitness Center Gated Access Hardwood Flooring High Speed Internet Access Laundry Facility Public Transportation Some Paid Utilities

One-bedroom apartment

Describing an apartment Conv. Loc. = convenient location 2 BR = 2 bedrooms Furn. / unfurn. AC = air conditioner Util. incl. = utilities included (gas, water, electricity) Pkg. incl. = parking included Sec. bldg. = security building

small – cozy - cramped

airy – light-filled

spacious – roomy - palatial

2-bedroom apartment with terrace

Vocabulary: Rental agent Landlord / landlady Building manager Tenant (renter)

Rental application References / credit history / background check Security deposit Lease / rental agreement

Standard lease

Many American apartments have cheap w2w – wall to wall carpeting

You will pay extra for hardwood floors

Construction: new buildings of about 5 floors or less are wood-frame and plasterboard (thin walls, noise travels easily) High-rise buildings are steel frame construction Older buildings have more solid construction – brick or concrete, quieter, more ambience (pleasing atmosphere)

PRACTICE

You are a rental agent. Give a tour of this apartment to a prospective tenant.

Happy hunting!