In search of an apartment

With or without co-tenant, unearth your one’s home abroad.

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Flathunting

Ewan [on the phone]: Hello, I’m calling about your ad in the student accommodation office for a room to let in a shared flat. Is it still available?

Landlady: Certainly.

Ewan: And where is the flat, exactly?

Landlady: Byres Road, just opposite the underground station. Only five minutes from campus.

Ewan: And who is living in the flat now?

Landlady: Two medics and an Arts student.

Ewan: And everyone has their own room?

Landlady: That’s right. It’s a four-bedroomed flat. The kitchen and bathroom are communal, of course.

Ewan: The rent is £200 per month?

Landlady: That’s right, plus a deposit of £250, which you get back when you move out - if everything is in order, of course.

Ewan: Washing machine?

Landlady: No, but there’s a launderette nearby.

Ewan: Does the flat have central heating?

Landlady: No. But each room has a gas heater.

Ewan: It must be quite cold in winter...

Landlady: Well, it prevents squabbles over heating bills, and any way the students I’ve always rented to seem to spend most of their evenings in the pub...

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Dialogue words

ad/advert = annonce

accommodation = logement

to let = à louer

shared = partagé

available = disponible

medic = étudiant(e) en médecine

Arts student = étudiant(e) en lettres

rent = loyer

deposit = caution

launderette = laverie

squabble = dispute

bill = facture

Useful questions

How big is the room? = La chambre fait combien de mètres carrés?

Is it a non-smoking flat? = Est-ce que c’est un appartement non fumeur?

How much is the deposit? = La caution est de combien ?

Is the rent due at the beginning or at the end of the month? = Faut-il payer le loyer en début ou en fin de mois?

Do I pay the rent directly into your bank account? = Dois-je faire un virement sur votre compte bancaire pour le loyer?

Is it easy to park near the flat? = Peut-on se garer facilement à proximité de l’appartement?

Is the flat fully furnished? = L’appartement est-il meublé?

Is there a dining area? = Y a-t-il un coin repas?

Does the rent include heating? = Le chauffage est-il compris dans le loyer?

How much are the bills per month? = À combien se montent les charges par mois?

When can I visit the flat? = Quand est-ce que je peux visiter l’appartement ?

I’ll take it! = Je le prends !

Understanding the advertisements...

CH (central heating) = chauffage central

deposit reqd (required) = caution obligatoire

£500 pcm (per calendar month) + bills = 500£ par mois + charges

5 bedrm (bedroom) house = la maison possède cinq chambres

fully fitted/remodelled kitchen = cuisine équipée/aménagée

no pets = pas d’animaux

open-plan kitchen = cuisine américaine

residential area = secteur calme

£60 pw inc (per week inclusive) = 60£ par semaine, tout compris

u/f (unfurnished) = non meublé

wooden floor = parquet