Learn

Register: housing and neighbours

By Michael Ukwuma

Words for renting, landlords, repairs, buildings and getting along with neighbours.

Housing is one of the most common CELPIP topics. Tenants write to landlords, neighbours complain about noise, families choose where to live.

Key words

• tenant, landlord, property manager, lease, rent, deposit
• apartment, unit, condo, townhouse, basement suite
• repair, maintenance, leak, heating, appliance, pest control
• noise, parking, garbage collection, recycling, shared laundry
• move in, move out, notice, utilities, neighbourhood

Useful phrases

• the heating has not been working since
• could you arrange a repair
• give notice before moving out
• the noise from upstairs
• get along with the neighbours
• a quiet, family friendly neighbourhood

Use it in a sentence

Model sentences

I am writing to let you know that the kitchen sink has been leaking since Monday, and I would appreciate it if you could arrange a repair this week.

We chose this neighbourhood because it is quiet, close to the school and has a large park.

I wanted to talk to you about the noise late at night before it becomes a bigger problem.

Where it shows up on the test

Writing Task 1 complaint and request emails, Reading Part 1 and 2, Speaking Task 5 choosing a home, and Task 6 neighbour conflicts.

Key points

• Skim the words, then say three of the model sentences aloud.
• Pick five words and use them in your next practice task.
• Come back in two days and recall the list from memory.