Part One: Warm Up
Discuss the following questions with a partner or group:
- In your city, how do people usually find apartments for rent? Newspaper? Website?
- In your country, do you measure size of rooms with square metres or square feet? How many square metres / feet is the classroom you are in?
- What are some important questions you need to ask a landlord about an apartment before renting it?
Part Two: Listening
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.
Transcript
Jackie: Hello, hi, I'm calling about the ad for the apartment. I'm looking at it on Craigslist.
Pete: Okay. Is it still available?
Jackie: Yes, it is.
Pete: Great. So when would someone be able to move in?
Jackie: Well, the current tenants are moving out in a couple of days. It'll be ready as soon as I have the chance to clean it up and get it ready for the next tenant. I imagine that means you could move in around the 25th or the 26th of the month. Would that work for you?
Pete: Yes, that would be great.
Jackie: Good. So what else would you like to know?
Pete: Well, there isn't much information on Craigslist about the place itself. How big is it?
Jackie: It's a medium-sized one-bedroom apartment. It's about 800 square feet and with a pretty big balcony. That would be a good place for a barbecue. Of course, there's also a kitchen and bathroom.
Pete: Okay, are there laundry facilities in the building?
Jackie: Actually, the suite has its own washer and dryer.
Pete: Oh, that would be nice. How old is the place?
Jackie: I think the place was built about 10 to 15 years ago.
Pete: Is it furnished at all?
Jackie: No, it's totally unfurnished. You would need to supply your own furniture.
Pete: Okay, and what about kitchen appliances?
Jackie: The usual, you know, oven and fridge.
Pete: Is there a dishwasher?
Jackie: Yes, there is.
Pete: Okay. It says here on Craigslist that the rent is $950 a month. What about utilities? Are any included in the rent?
Jackie: The rent includes heat and hot water. It doesn't include things like cable, internet, or phone. Those are separate.
Pete: Would I be able to have a roommate?
Jackie: I don't see why not, but just one. You can't have any more than two people living in the place.
Pete: Okay, um, I guess the last thing I want to ask is about pets. Are they allowed?
Jackie: Pets? Well, I don't want any dogs or cats in the place. They can be pretty noisy and make a mess. I don't mind, though, if you keep a small animal in a cage like a mouse or something.
Pete: Okay, that sounds fair. Could I come by this afternoon sometime so I can have a look at the place?
Jackie: Certainly. Are you coming by car?
Pete: No, I'd have to take public transportation. Is the place close to a bus line or a train station?
Jackie: Yeah, it's just a five-minute walk from Edmunds Station.
Pete: Great. What's the address?
Jackie: 2931 East 4th Avenue.
Pete: 2931 East 4th. Got it. Okay, I'll try to be there between 2 and 3. My name is Jackie, by the way.
Jackie: Okay, Jackie. My name is Pete. See you between 2 and 3.
Pete: Bye now.
Jackie: Bye.