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Handing over keys.

Learning Vocabulary: Flat Hunting Part 3

Learning Vocabulary: Flat Hunting Part 3

In this Premier Skills English Podcast, Jack decides whether to rent a room in his flat to Rowan or Rich. The language focus is on words and phrases we can use connected to renting a flat. Your task is to imagine you were coming to the UK to study or work for six months and to tell us the kind of place you’d like to rent. Don't forget to listen to the end of the podcast because we have a new football phrase for you to guess.

Transcript

If the listening was a bit difficult, you can listen again and read the transcript at the same time.
Read and listen at the same time.

Learning Vocabulary: Flat Hunting 3

Jack: Hello my name’s Jack

Rowan: My name’s Rowan

Rich: and I’m Rich and welcome to this week’s Premier Skills English podcast.

Jack: In the Premier Skills English podcast, we talk about football and help you with your English. 

Rowan: Don’t forget you can find the transcript for all our podcasts on the Premier Skills English website.

Rich: We have changed our weekly podcast. You will hear our weekly podcast in three parts.

Jack: Yes. We asked you for your opinions on the ideal podcast length and the majority of our listeners say that they want more podcasts but shorter podcasts. 

Rowan: We are splitting the podcast into three shorter parts which will make things easier to understand. 

Jack: Not too much will change. We will always have a roleplay for you, a language focus, a task for you to complete  and a weekly football phrase for you to guess.

Rich: Please let us know if you are happy with the changes  either in the comments section or on Apple Podcasts.

Rowan: This week’s podcast is connected to flat hunting. Jack is looking for someone to share his flat - he’s looking for a new flatmate. 

Rich: That’s right. And lots of people have called Jack about his flat - there has been a lot of interest.

Rowan: In our first two roleplays, earlier this week, you heard interviews between Jack and potential new flatmates.

Rich: And now he needs to make a decision about his new flatmate. In the roleplay in this podcast Jack will call his new flatmate.

Jack: After the roleplay, we’ll look at some words and phrases we use connected to renting a flat. 

Rowan: Your task is to imagine you were coming to the UK to study or work for six months and to tell us the kind of place you’d like to rent.

Rich: If you are listening to us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or any other podcast platform, you should also check out our website.

Jack: On the Premier Skills English website, you’ll find the transcript, examples and activities to help you understand the language, and a task for you to complete  with other listeners.

Introduction to roleplay

Jack: As we said earlier, this podcast is in three parts - there will be three short podcasts in total. This is the final part.

Rich: Jack needs a new flatmate and he’s been interviewing people who are interested in sharing his flat. He has now made a decision but who has he chosen as his new flatmate? You will find out in this roleplay.

Rowan: Jack is going to make a telephone call. While you listen, we want you to answer two questions:

Rich: The first question is: Is the flatmate happy with the news?

Rowan: And the second question is: Why didn’t Jack choose the other flatmate?

Roleplay

Rowan: Hello Jack. Great to hear from you. I didn’t think I would after the other day. I can’t have come across as the ideal flatmate. 

Jack: No, no. We might have different tastes and hobbies but that’s not an issue. So, I’d like to offer you the room.

Rowan: That’s brilliant.

Jack: Well, you already know how much the rent is but we will have to talk again and sign a tenancy agreement.

Rowan: That’s fine. I have the deposit already. It was two months rent in advance, wasn’t it?

Jack: Yes, and we’ll have to discuss notice periods and rules around the flat.

Rowan: Yes, of course. So when can I move in?

Jack: Well, once the agreement is signed as soon as you want. How does this weekend sound?

Rowan: Brilliant. So, was I top of your list, Jack?

Jack: I have to be honest with you, I had another flatmate lined up but then I discovered the present his dog, Rover, left on my bed - disgusting!

Language Focus

Rich: Before the roleplay, we asked you two questions. The first question was: Is the flatmate happy with the news?

Jack: She was very happy. She was surprised because she thought she hadn’t made a good impression in the interview but yes she was happy.

Rich: The second question was: Why didn’t Jack choose the other flatmate?

Jack: Well, I was already a bit unsure about having pets in my flat but then when I discovered the present that Rover had left in my bedroom there was no way I was going to have Rich and Rover as flatmates. He told me that he was house-trained! What a liar!

Rowan: We’ll let you decide what Rover’s present was. Let’s move onto a bit of language.

Rich: There is quite a lot of specific language connected to renting a flat that could be useful for you to know.

Jack: In the UK, whenever you rent a flat you’ll need to sign a tenancy agreement. I spoke about this in the roleplay.

Rowan: A tenancy agreement is a contract between you and the landlord which contains all the rules that you have to follow, from when you move into the flat and when you move out.

Rich: The landlord is the person or company you rent the room, flat or house from.

Jack: Rowan used a couple of useful phrasal verbs there too: move in and move out. To move in means to start living in your new home and to move out means to leave your old home.

Rowan: When you rent a flat or a room you might also be asked to pay a deposit. This is an amount of money that we pay and we get back at the end of the agreement if we don’t damage anything in the flat and have paid everything we owe when we move out.

Rich: Listen to this part of the roleplay again and listen out for the vocabulary we’ve just been speaking about:

Jack: Well, you already know how much the rent is but we will have to talk again and sign a tenancy agreement.

Rowan: That’s fine. I have the deposit already. It was two months rent in advance, wasn’t it?

Jack: Yes, and we’ll have to discuss notice periods and rules around the flat.

Rowan: Yes, of course. So when can I move in?

Rich: OK, we’ve looked at lots of language connected to renting a new place. You can find the transcript and more activities on the Premier Skills English website to help you understand what we’ve been speaking about.

TASK 

Rich: In this task, we want you to imagine you were coming to the UK to study or work for six months and to tell us the kind of place you’d like to rent.

Rowan: What type of property would it be? A house or a flat?

Jack: Where would it be? In the city or in the countryside? In London, Scotland or another city in the UK?

Rich: Would you want your own place or would you prefer to share? What do you need to have near your property? Shops? A park? A university? A football club?

Rowan: What kind of facilities would you like? Do you need fast internet and a big TV? Is the amount of space and light important? Do you want a garden? A big kitchen? Modern or traditional furniture?

Jack: Write all your answers in the comments section on the Premier Skills English website or on Apple podcasts if that’s where you listen to us.

Football Phrase

Rich: It’s time for this week’s football phrase. Remember that  you will hear this football phrase in all three parts of this podcast and we’ll have the answer for you in part one of our next podcast as well as in This Week which you can also watch on YouTube. 

Rowan: The answer to last week’s football phrase was reduced capacity. Well done if you got it right and if you did I hope you heard our shout out to you in This Week on YouTube!

Jack: Have you got this week’s football phrase, Rich?

Rich: I have. This week’s football phrase is ******** ******. At the moment there is a lot of ******** ****** in the newspapers and online. This phrase is used to describe rumours about which players are signing for which clubs and things like that.

Rowan: Lots of players will be moving clubs this summer and looking for new houses and flats. Maybe they could move in with you Jack! 

Jack: If you have a football phrase that you would like us to use in the podcast, just get in touch and let us know.

Rich: Don’t forget to write your answers to our questions and make a guess at our football phrase in the comments below. If you get it right, we’ll announce your name on next week’s podcast and live on YouTube. 

Jack: If you have a question for us about football or English you can email us at premierskills@britishcouncil.org

Rowan: or you can leave your questions and comments on the website in the comments section or on our Facebook page.

Rich: or you could give us a rating and a fantastic review on Apple Podcasts.

Jack: Bye for now and enjoy your football!

Vocabulary

How much did you understand?

Here is some of the vocabulary you might have heard in the roleplay. Do you know the words in bold?

I can’t have come across as the ideal flatmate.

We might have different tastes and hobbies but that’s not an issue.

It was two months rent in advance, wasn’t it?

How does this weekend sound?

I had another flatmate lined up but ...

Activity 1

Activity 1: In this activity, take a look at some of the words that were used in the roleplay and match them to their definitions.
Can you match the words and definitions?

Have you ever rented a flat or house?

Vocabulary

Signing a contract to rent a flat

In the roleplay, Jack chose Rowan to be his new flatmate. They now need to discuss the contract. Look at this sentences from the roleplay and the phrases in bold which are some of the most common dnd useful pharses to know if you ever need to sign a contract when renting a flat in the UK.

Jack: Well, you already know how much the rent is but we will have to talk again and sign a tenancy agreement.

Rowan: That’s fine. I have the deposit already. It was two months rent in advance, wasn’t it?

Jack: Yes, and we’ll have to discuss notice periods and rules around the flat.

Rowan: Yes, of course. So when can I move in?

You'll probably have to sign a tenancy agreement to rent a flat in the UK.

Activity 2

Activity 2: In this activity, choose the correct word to put in each gap.
Do you know what to say when renting a flat?

What problem did Rich's dog cause in the podcast?

Learn More

Further resources connected to looking for a flat:

Task

Coming to the UK

Would you choose to live in London or another place in the UK?

In this task, we want you to imagine you were coming to the UK to study or work for six months and tell us the kind of place you’d like to rent.

  1. What type of property would it be? A house or a flat?
  2. Where would it be? In the city or in the countryside? In London, Scotland or another city in the UK?
  3. Would you want your own place or would you prefer to share? What do you need to have near your property? Shops? A park? A university? A football club?
  4. What kind of facilities would you like? Do you need fast internet and a big TV? Is the amount of space and light important? Do you want a garden? A big kitchen?

Write your answers below and don't forget to make a guess at this week's football phrase!

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Comentários

Gano yod
19/08/2021
SD
2
points

I would be in a flat, I think Manchester city is my favorite place I would be in Manchester , I w


Gano yod
19/08/2021 12:45
Sudan
Chelsea
2

I would be in a flat, I think Manchester city is my favorite place I would be in Manchester , I w

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
31/07/2021
TR
6510
points

Good evening Rich and Jack
hope you are doing well :)
I guess there's a technical problem in my points in the leaderboard
Could you kindly check this out ?


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
31/07/2021 22:05
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

Good evening Rich and Jack
hope you are doing well :)
I guess there's a technical problem in my points in the leaderboard
Could you kindly check this out ?

Rich's picture
Rich
02/08/2021
ES
594
points

Hi MoBeckham,

A slight hiccup in the points module on the website. It's all back to normal now and you're back on top of our leaderboard :)

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
02/08/2021 08:09
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi MoBeckham,

A slight hiccup in the points module on the website. It's all back to normal now and you're back on top of our leaderboard :)

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
02/08/2021
TR
6510
points

Much appreciated , Rich :)
I like the expression ( hiccup ) though
didn't know that it could be used with non living things as well :)

Thanks a lot :-)


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
02/08/2021 12:41
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

Much appreciated , Rich :)
I like the expression ( hiccup ) though
didn't know that it could be used with non living things as well :)

Thanks a lot :-)

mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
30/07/2021
TR
6510
points

1. Well , I prefer to rent a shared house with a British family or couple.

2. I'd like it to be in the city of Manchester in Trafford area.

3. Sharing is better to practice the language and to get to know new people and to pay less money for sure :)
I'd like to have an Old Trafford stadium view from the window of my room and the big lake in front of the Theatre of Dreams.

4. I will definitely like fast WIFI for my job or studies , a reliable fridge and washing machine , a garden would be a bonus though :)


mobeckham's picture
mobeckham
30/07/2021 14:48
Turkey
Manchester United
6510

1. Well , I prefer to rent a shared house with a British family or couple.

2. I'd like it to be in the city of Manchester in Trafford area.

3. Sharing is better to practice the language and to get to know new people and to pay less money for sure :)
I'd like to have an Old Trafford stadium view from the window of my room and the big lake in front of the Theatre of Dreams.

4. I will definitely like fast WIFI for my job or studies , a reliable fridge and washing machine , a garden would be a bonus though :)

Kazu
30/07/2021
JP
38
points

1. I would like to rent a flat.
2. In the city of London.
3. I want to have my own place. I want to the place which is neat to the station.
4. I don't care if it would be poky. But I need fast internet.


Kazu
30/07/2021 04:05
Japan
Aston Villa
38

1. I would like to rent a flat.
2. In the city of London.
3. I want to have my own place. I want to the place which is neat to the station.
4. I don't care if it would be poky. But I need fast internet.

hsn's picture
hsn
20/07/2021
TR
5525
points

Hi Rich!
Would you mind if I suggest a football phrase? It's about being in the stadium to watch a match as a spectator not on the TV. I think it's called " Watching a match in the skin" in English.
Here we call it literally " Watching a match with naked eye". Pundits often use this phrase when talking at the sport program on TV.
Stay fit and Healthy.


hsn's picture
hsn
20/07/2021 10:06
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

Hi Rich!
Would you mind if I suggest a football phrase? It's about being in the stadium to watch a match as a spectator not on the TV. I think it's called " Watching a match in the skin" in English.
Here we call it literally " Watching a match with naked eye". Pundits often use this phrase when talking at the sport program on TV.
Stay fit and Healthy.

Rich's picture
Rich
28/07/2021
ES
594
points

Hi HSN,

Thanks for the idea. We've chosen this phrase this week although it's slightly different from the ones you have written above. 

Good luck with guessing!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team


Rich's picture
Rich
28/07/2021 09:12
Spain
Liverpool
594

Hi HSN,

Thanks for the idea. We've chosen this phrase this week although it's slightly different from the ones you have written above. 

Good luck with guessing!

Rich - The Premier Skills English Team

Robert Tavares's picture
Robert Tavares
20/07/2021
BR
399
points

Hi mates!
The football phase is ******** ******.


Robert Tavares's picture
Robert Tavares
20/07/2021 00:06
Brazil
Leeds United
399

Hi mates!
The football phase is ******** ******.

Richard J's picture
Richard J
19/07/2021
EC
2846
points

Hi there,
Talking about renting a place, I would choose a flat because I guess is cheaper than renting a house and I'm not sure about the city but I'm absolutely sure that it has to be a place with warm weather most time of the year.
I think to have a flatmate is interesting specially because of the cultural exchange, I can learn something from his/her. I have to say that definitely the flat has to be in the heart of city because is easy to get to important places like parks, goverment institutions, universities, etc. And finally for the obvious reason that the flat is in the centre of city I guees the place will be tiny but it is okey as long as I have internet connection.


Richard J's picture
Richard J
19/07/2021 17:42
Ecuador
Liverpool
2846

Hi there,
Talking about renting a place, I would choose a flat because I guess is cheaper than renting a house and I'm not sure about the city but I'm absolutely sure that it has to be a place with warm weather most time of the year.
I think to have a flatmate is interesting specially because of the cultural exchange, I can learn something from his/her. I have to say that definitely the flat has to be in the heart of city because is easy to get to important places like parks, goverment institutions, universities, etc. And finally for the obvious reason that the flat is in the centre of city I guees the place will be tiny but it is okey as long as I have internet connection.

Vic
19/07/2021
MX
817
points

Great exercise of imagination, I want to go to study at England.

1.- I want rent a house, nearby the City, special to London School Economics.
2.- Have to be at the city, London City.
3.- I want my own space, I hate the roomates, my needs, is the internet, nearby the buss station, underground station, shops for buy ediables.


Vic
19/07/2021 17:01
Mexico
Liverpool
817

Great exercise of imagination, I want to go to study at England.

1.- I want rent a house, nearby the City, special to London School Economics.
2.- Have to be at the city, London City.
3.- I want my own space, I hate the roomates, my needs, is the internet, nearby the buss station, underground station, shops for buy ediables.

hsn's picture
hsn
18/07/2021
TR
5525
points

TASK
It would be a small house in the garden, close to the city center. I like countryside and hot and sunny weather.It could be south coast of the U.K. A park,walking path, sport hall and market should be close. No need big TV. Natural light, roomy, less space preferable. Internet connection and desktop computer are essential things. Kitchen should contain enough space for having meals there.I don’t like to share it accomodation.
PHRASE
• There has been a lot of interest for new incentive program. The investors’ve lined up to get encouragement certificate.
• Here ,the employer legally have the right not to wait notice period by paying for it.
• I can't have come across as the perfect student.I do many grammatical mistakes while writing comments-:) I didn't think I would. But finally P.S.E. team helped me to improve.
P.S.
• Landlords are the same and a little bit cruel all over the world.They demand deposit as well three months rent in advance. Deposit generally isn't re-payed exactly amount when the move out.Tenancy agreement also includes difficult obligations from the side of the tenant.


hsn's picture
hsn
18/07/2021 12:56
Turkey
Tottenham Hotspur
5525

TASK
It would be a small house in the garden, close to the city center. I like countryside and hot and sunny weather.It could be south coast of the U.K. A park,walking path, sport hall and market should be close. No need big TV. Natural light, roomy, less space preferable. Internet connection and desktop computer are essential things. Kitchen should contain enough space for having meals there.I don’t like to share it accomodation.
PHRASE
• There has been a lot of interest for new incentive program. The investors’ve lined up to get encouragement certificate.
• Here ,the employer legally have the right not to wait notice period by paying for it.
• I can't have come across as the perfect student.I do many grammatical mistakes while writing comments-:) I didn't think I would. But finally P.S.E. team helped me to improve.
P.S.
• Landlords are the same and a little bit cruel all over the world.They demand deposit as well three months rent in advance. Deposit generally isn't re-payed exactly amount when the move out.Tenancy agreement also includes difficult obligations from the side of the tenant.

Leaderboard

Top Scorers
RankNameScore
1mobeckham6510
2Alex_from_Ukraine6278
3hsn5525
4wsanta5086
5kwesimanifest4768
6Liubomyr4408
7elghoul3988
8assemjuve3705
9aragorn19863557
10Gergő Nagy3396
Country ranking
RankNameScore
1Colombia71478
2Ukraine33300
3Spain28277
4Serbia27289
5Brazil23896
6Albania20578
7Vietnam19941
8Turkey19810
9Macedonia19074
10Bosnia and Herzegovina16333
Club ranking
RankNameScore
1Manchester United141846
2Liverpool110282
3Chelsea88561
4Arsenal85717
5Manchester City56951
6Tottenham Hotspur19169
7Newcastle United10457
8West Ham United7454
9AFC Bournemouth4458
10Crystal Palace4240

Level

3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Goals

Skills: Listening

Vocabulary: Words and phrases connected to renting a flat

Task: Imagine you were coming to the UK to study or work for six months and to tell us the kind of place you’d like to rent