Renting a House or Apartment in English - Vocabulary and Conversation

Hi, I’m Kasia.

嗨，我是Kasia。

Welcome to Oxford Online English!

歡迎來到Oxford Online English!

In this lesson, you can learn useful language for renting an apartment or a house in English.

在本節課，您可以學到在租一間公寓 或一棟透天厝時有用的英文。

Before we start, have you been to our website?

在開始之前，想請問您有訪問過我們的網站嗎？

Go check it out: Oxford Online English dot com.

來看一下： Oxford Online English dot com。

Do you find it difficult to listen to English for long periods?

您會覺得長時間聽英文很難嗎？

No problem – use the English subtitles to help yourself understand!

沒問題 – 用英文字幕來幫助您理解！

Turn them on now; just click the ‘CC’ button in the bottom right of your video player.

現在打開他們；就按一下 影片播放軟體右下角的“CC”鍵。

Now, let’s look at the first step if you want to rent a new place: phoning the estate

現在，我們看一下步驟一， 如果您想租一個新住處：打電話

agent.

給房屋仲介。

Hello, Broom Cupboard Real Estate, how can I help?

您好，Broom Cupboard房屋仲介公司， 我有什麼可以幫您嗎？

Hello, I’m looking to rent an apartment.

您好，我在尋租一間公寓。

A friend of mine told me about your agency, and I was hoping you could help me.

我的一個朋友告訴我你們是房屋仲介， 我希望你們可以幫我。

Of course!

當然可以!

Do you have a specific property in mind?

您有自己想要的特定房屋嗎?

No, not yet.

沒有，還沒有。

No problem.

沒問題。

First question: do you know which area you’d like to live in?

問題一：您知道您想住在哪一個區嗎？

Well, I work in Cowley, so somewhere in the east would make sense.

好，我在Cowley上班，所以我覺得在東邊會比較好。

Sure, and…

當然，那麼…

Are you looking to rent just for yourself?

您只一個人租嗎？

I’m planning to share with a friend.

我想和一個朋友分租。

So, a two-bed?

所以，一張雙人床？

Right.

對啊。

And, do you have an idea of your budget?

那麼，您對預算有什麼要求嗎？

You don’t have to be exact, but if you could give me a range, that would be useful.

您不用給我一個準確的，但是如果 您可以給我一個預算範圍，那會很有用。

As cheap as possible, really.

盡可能便宜，真的。

I see…

我看…

Well, two-bedroom flats are generally around eight to twelve hundred a month at the lower

好，雙人床在低價位的 一般是800

end.

到1200鎊一個月。

Hmmm…

嗯…

OK.

好。

One more important question: are you looking for a furnished place?

一個重要的問題： 您是在找一個有傢俱的地方嗎？

Yes, furnished.

是的，有傢俱的。

That’s fine.

那很好。

Is there anything else you need?

有什麼是您需要的呢？

For example, do you have pets?

例如，您有毛小孩嗎？

Do you need a place with off-street parking?

您需要一個地方可以路邊停車嗎？

Do you want a garden?

您想要一個花園嗎？

No, no pets.

沒有，沒有毛小孩。

I don’t have a car.

我沒有小車。

A garden would be a plus but it’s not necessary.

有花園是更好，但不必要。

Got it.

了解。

I’ll take a look at what’s available and get back to you in half an hour or so.

我會看一下有什麼可以給您選擇的， 大約一個半小時左右這樣再回復您。

Can I just take a phone number…

我能記下您的電話號碼嗎…

Look at four questions you heard.

看看您聽到的四個問題。

Can you remember how to complete these questions?

您記得怎樣回答這些問題嗎？

If you want, you can go back and watch the dialogue again.

如果您想，您可以再回頭 看一下對話。

Ready?

準備好了嗎？

Let’s see the full questions.

我們看看全部的問題。

Next, do you remember the answers from the dialogue?

接下來，您記得對話裡面的回答嗎？

Also, if you were answering these questions, what would your answers be?

同樣，如果您回答這些問題， 您要回答什麼？

In the dialogue, you heard these answers.

在對話裡，您聽到了這些回答。

Of course, you could give different answers.

當然，您可以有不同的回答。

For example: ‘I’m looking for something in the northern suburbs.’

例如，”我在找北邊近郊的一些房子。“

‘Yes, I’d like to rent a place just for myself.’

”是的，我只想自己租一個地方。“

‘My maximum is six hundred per month.’

”我的預算最多是600鎊每個月。“

‘No, I have furniture, so I’d like something unfurnished.’

”沒有，我有傢俱了， 所以我想找沒有傢俱的房子。”

If you can talk about these ideas – area, size, budget and whether you need a furnished

如果您可以聊這些想法—區域、 大小、預算和您是否需要一個

place or not – then you should be able to tell an estate agent what you need in general

有傢俱的地方— 那麼您應當可以和 一個房仲談在一般情形下

terms.

您需要什麼。

Try it!

試一下！

If you were looking to rent an apartment – or a house – what would you look for?

是否您在尋租一間公寓或是一棟透天厝， 您找什麼？

Try to make a few sentences describing what you need.

試下造幾個句子描述您需要的。

Say your sentences out loud.

大聲地唸出您的句子。

Pause the video and do it now!

暫停影片，開始吧！

How was that?

怎麼樣？

Remember that you can always review a section if you need to.

記得，如果您需要， 您總是可以複習一個單元。

Next, let’s see some useful language for looking around a property.

接下來，我們看下一些對歸納一個房子的 有用的說法。

Right, so this is the living room…

好的，那麼這是起居室…

Is all the furniture included?

所有的傢俱都含在內了嗎？

Most of it should be.

大部分都包括在內了。

It’s possible that some items belong to the current tenant, but I can send you a copy

可能有一些東西屬於現在的承租人， 但是我可以寄給您一個清冊的副本，

of the inventory, so you can check for yourself.

這樣您可以自己核對一下。

That would be good.

那很好。

The bathroom is through here.

經過這是浴室。

It’s pretty mouldy…

有很多發霉…

Yes, it doesn’t look great, does it?

是的，看上去不是很好，對嗎？

Don’t worry.

不用擔心

We’ll contact the landlord and make sure that it’s dealt with before you move in.

我們會聯絡房東， 確定在您搬入之前會整理好。

I had a question: can we redecorate the place ourselves, or paint a room, if we want?

我有一個問題：如果我們想，我們可以自己裝修一下 住的地方嗎，或者是粉刷一個房間？

Possibly, but you need the landlord’s permission if you’re going to do anything which significantly

應該可以，但是如果您要 對物業做任何明顯的改變，

changes the appearance of the property.

您需要得到房東的許可。

Generally, landlords will be happy to let you do things which improve the place.

一般來說，業主會很高興您 做一些可以改善居所的事情

I see…

我看看…

Well, it looks OK, but there’s obviously some work that needs doing.

好，看上去可以，但是絕對有一些事要做。

The kitchen is filthy!

廚房有點髒！

Yes, I understand.

是的，我理解。

It won’t be like that if and when you move in.

當您搬進來時，不會像那樣。

If the current tenant doesn’t clean everything thoroughly, we hire cleaners so that everything

如果現在的房客沒清理乾淨每一樣東西， 我們會請清潔工人幫新房客清理

is spotless for the new tenant.

乾淨每一樣東西。

OK.

好的。

Anyway, I’d like to take a couple of days to think about it.

好吧，我要考慮幾天。

No problem, although if you’re interested, I’d advise you to move quickly.

沒問題，如果您感興趣，我建議您盡快搬進來。

Places in this area get snapped up fast.

這個區域的房子很搶手。

Let’s look at some key vocabulary from this dialogue.

我們看一下這個對話裡面的一些關鍵的字彙。

Could you explain what these words mean?

您可以解釋一下這些字彙是什麼意思嗎？

Or, can you guess the general meaning from the context?

或者，您可以猜一下在這段內容裡 的一般意思嗎？

Think about it.

考慮一下。

Before you move into a rented property, you’ll do an inventory with the estate agent.

在您搬進一個租來的物業之前， 您會和房屋仲介做一個清冊。

An inventory is a list of everything which is in the apartment, and its condition.

這個清冊是這個公寓裡所有東西的細目， 以及它們的狀況。

If anything is damaged or dirty, you’ll write it down on the inventory.

如果任何東西是破損的，或髒的， 您會寫在清冊上。

Then, when you move out, the estate agent will check the property using the inventory.

然後，當您搬出時，房屋仲介會用這個清冊 來檢查物業。

If anything is missing or damaged, you’ll usually have to pay for it.

如果任何東西遺失了或損壞了， 您通常要賠償這些。

Mould can be a problem in cold, damp countries – like the UK!

在那些寒冷潮濕的國家，像是英國， 黴菌可能是一個問題。

Mould is something like a plant, which can grow in dark, damp places, so it’s commonly

黴菌是那些像是植物的東西， 能生長在陰暗潮濕的地方，

found in bathrooms.

通常可以在浴室找到它們。

It can make your bathroom look bad, and smell bad.

這樣，您的浴室看起來就會很糟糕， 很難聞。

If you redecorate your home, you change and improve how it looks.

如果您重新裝修您的家， 您可以改變或改善這些外觀。

Maybe you paint the walls a different colour, or change the carpets, or add some ornaments.

也許您可以用不同顏色的油漆粉刷墻壁， 或換地毯，或添擺一些裝飾品。

‘Spotless’ means extremely clean.

“Spotless”意思是超乾淨。

You heard an adjective with the opposite meaning in the dialogue – ‘filthy’, which means

您也在對話裡聽到一個反義的形容詞 – “filthy”，它的意思是

‘extremely dirty’.

“超髒的”。

When the estate agent said ‘places in this area get snapped up fast’, he meant that

當房屋仲介說”places in this area get snapped up fast“，他的意思是

there is high demand for apartments in this neighbourhood.

在這周邊地區，對公寓的需求量很高。

‘Snap something up’ literally means to eat something

”Snap something up“字面意思是 吃某些東西

very fast, like a crocodile; here it has the meaning of getting something before anyone

吃的很快，就像做一隻鱷魚；這有搶先任何人得到

else can.

某些東西的意思。

What next?

接下來怎樣？

Well, if you look around a property and you like it, you’ll need to pay a deposit and

好，如果您看了屋，您喜歡它， 您要付一些訂金並且

sign a tenancy agreement.

簽一個租房契約。

Let’s see how that works.

我們看看怎樣做。

Hello, Broom Cupboard, Daniel speaking.

您好，我是Broom Cupboard的Daniel。

Hello, yes, this is … I’m calling about the flat on Wesley Close?

您好，我是 … 我打電話是因為 在Wesley Close的公寓?

Ah, yes!

哦，是的！

Hello.

您好。

What can I do for you?

我有什麼可以幫您？

We’ve decided to go ahead.

我們決定租下來。

We’ll take a 12-month lease.

我們簽12個月的租約。

That’s great!

那太棒了！

So, what are the next steps?

那麼，下面的步驟是怎樣的？

The first thing is to pay a holding deposit.

第一件事是支付一筆預租訂金。

It’s two hundred pounds, and that lets us take the property off the market while we

是200鎊，這樣我們可以在處理您申請的同時，

process your application.

把物業從市場上移走。

Do we get that back?

我們可以拿回訂金嗎？

If your application is successful, then it’s offset against your rental deposit, so generally

如果您的申請成功了， 這筆預租訂金會轉為您的租房押金，

yes.

通常是這樣的。

If your application is not successful, then you won’t, but that’s rare.

如果您的申請沒成功，那麼預租訂金 不會退回給您，但是那是極少的。

What else do we need?

我們還需要做什麼呢？

You need to supply at least two references, either from landlords or from employers.

您需要提供至少兩個推薦信， 您的房東們寫的，或是僱主們寫的。

There are two of us; does that mean we need two references each?

我們有兩個人；是不是說 我們每個人都要提供兩封推薦信？

Yes, you do.

是的，沒錯。

The sooner you can get them to us, the better, but we must have them by the end of next week.

如果你們可以盡快給我們這些推薦信，那更好，但是， 在下周周末之前，我們必須要拿到這些信。

OK, that shouldn’t be a problem.

好的，沒問題。

Anything else we need to do?

還有我們要做的嗎?

Not right now.

目前沒有了。

Once your application is processed, you’ll need to pay the tenancy deposit and the first

一旦你們的申請啟動了， 你們要支付租房押金和

month’s rent, and sign the agreement.

首月的房租，並且簽租房契約。

How much is the tenancy deposit?

租房押金多少錢？

It’s one month’s rent, so nine hundred.

租房押金是一個月的租金，這樣的話就是900鎊。

So we need to pay eighteen hundred?

所以，我們要付1800鎊？

That’s right.

沒錯。

Right…

好的…

And, assuming everything goes smoothly, when could we move in?

另外，假設一切順利， 什麼時候我們可以搬進去？

It really depends on you.

這實際上取決於你們。

Once we get your references, we can have the agreement drawn up within one working day.

一旦我們有了你們的推薦信， 我們可以在一個工作日內擬定好租房契約。

Then, as soon as you sign it and make the payment, we can give you the keys.

然後，你們盡快簽約，付款， 我們就可以給你們鑰匙。

OK, well, thanks for your help.

行，好的，感謝您的幫助。

I’ll try to get the references to you as quickly as possible.

我會盡快地給您推薦信。

In your country, what do you need to do before you can move into a rented house or apartment?

在您的國家，搬進一棟租來的透天厝 或一間公寓之前，您需要做什麼？

Of course, these things can be different depending on where you live.

當然，基於您生活的地方不同， 事情可能會不同。

In the UK, you generally have to pay a deposit, pay the first month’s rent, provide references,

在英國，您通常要付一筆押金， 支付第一個月的租金，提供推薦信，

and sign a contract.

並簽一個租房契約。

In most cases, you get your deposit back when you move out, so long as you haven’t damaged

大部份的案例裡，當你搬出時， 同時您沒有損壞任何東西，

anything.

押金會退回給您。

Once you’ve provided everything you need to, you can sign the agreement, pick up the

一旦您提供了所有的您必須要提交的東西， 您可以簽契約，取鑰匙，

keys, and move into your new place!

再搬進新地方。

Now let's look at some questions: Try to answer these questions by speaking

現在，我們看一些問題： 試一下大聲地唸整句話

out loud, in full sentences.

來回答這些問題。

Pause the video and do it now!

暫停影片，現在開始做！

Could you do it?

您可以做嗎？

If so, great!

如果可以，那很棒！

If not, we suggest you review the dialogue, and try again.

如果不能，我們建議您複習對話， 再試下。

Try as many times as you need.

如果您需要，就多練幾次。

Finally, let’s imagine that you’ve come to the end of your contract, and it’s time

最後，我們想像一下您住到了租約屆滿， 是時候

to move out.

搬走了。

Hello?

您好！

Hi, it’s Daniel, from the real estate agency.

嗨，我是房屋仲介Daniel。

I just wanted to confirm a few details about your moving out date?

我只想確認一下您搬出日期的 幾個細節？

Oh right, sure.

噢，好的，可以。

So, are you definitely planning to vacate the property on the last day of your tenancy?

那麼，您確定要在租期屆滿的最後一天 搬離物業嗎？

Probably one or two days earlier.

可能提早一到兩天。

OK, no problem, but can you let us know when you know for sure?

好的，沒問題，但是當您知道確切日期， 您可以告訴我們嗎？

Yeah, can do.

是的，我會的。

Either when you move out or shortly afterwards, we need to do the final inventory.

無論您搬出了或是不久要搬， 我們要核對一下最後的清冊。

Do we have to be there for that?

所以，我們必須在那嗎？

No, but it’s advisable.

不是，但是我們建議最好這樣做。

OK, what about our deposit?

好的，我們的押金怎麼辦？

When do we get that back?

什麼時候我們可以拿回來？

Well, we need to do the inventory first, and then you’ll get your deposit back within

好吧，首先我們需要核對清冊， 然後您會在大約一周內

about one week.

拿回您的押金。

Have you read the information on our website about cleaning?

您有在我們的網站上看到有關清潔的資訊嗎？

No, I haven’t.

沒有，我沒有看。

Well, you’re responsible for cleaning the place before you leave.

好吧，在您搬離之前，您要負責 清潔乾淨那個地方。

If anything isn’t clean when we come to check, we hire a cleaning company to come,

在我們檢查時，如果發現任何東西沒有清潔 乾淨，我們會僱傭一個清潔公司來做。

and the cost is taken out of your deposit.

費用要從您的押金裡扣。

I see.

我看看。

One tip: pay extra attention to the oven.

有個提醒：留意烤爐。

It can be really difficult to get an oven clean.

清潔乾淨烤爐真的很困難。

You might want to get a cleaner just to do that.

您可能需要一個清潔工人去專門做那個。

It might be cheaper if you do it on your end, rather than paying for our cleaning company.

如果您那邊自己做，可能會便宜過 支付給我們的清潔公司。

OK, got it.

好的，明白了。

So, could we arrange a time for the final inventory now?

那麼，我們現在可以安排一個時間來做 最後的清冊核對嗎？

I need to check my work schedule.

我需要看一下我的工作行事曆。

Let me call you back.

我晚點打回給您。

Look at some sentences from the dialogue.

看看對話裡的一些句子。

Can you remember how to complete these sentences?

您記得怎樣完成這些句子嗎？

And, can you explain what they mean?

以及，您可以解釋他們是什麼意思嗎？

Let’s check the answers.

我們看下回答。

‘Vacate’ is a more formal word for ‘move out’.

“Vacate”是一個用在“move out”上的很正式的字彙。

You can say ‘vacate the property’ or ‘move out of the property’ – the meaning is

您可以說“vacate the property”或 “move out of the property” – 意思是

the same.

一樣的。

You learned about the final inventory earlier.

早前您學到了最後的清冊核對。

Do you remember what it means?

您記得那是什麼意思嗎？

During the final inventory, the estate agent will check that nothing has gone missing

在最後的清冊核對期間，房屋仲介會檢查 自您搬進去之後，沒東西遺失，

or been damaged since you moved in.

或沒東西損壞。

In the UK, you need to clean a rented property before you move out.

在英國，在您搬出之前， 您要清潔租的物業。

Is this the same in your country?

在您的國家是一樣的嗎？

Finally, ‘the cost is taken out of your deposit’ is another way of saying ‘you’ll

最後，“the cost is taken out of your deposit” 是說”you’ll

have to pay for this’.

have to pay for this“的另一種方式。

You won’t get the full amount of your deposit back.

您不會拿回您的全部押金。

Now, you should understand how to deal with estate agents and rent an apartment or house

現在，您肯定明白怎樣用英文來應付 房屋仲介以及租一棟透天厝

in English.

或一間公寓。

Have you had any interesting, funny or terrible experiences when renting a place to live?

您有任何在租一個住處時遇到的 有趣、好笑、恐怖的經歷嗎？

If you want to practise your English, please share your experiences with us and other learners

如果您想練習英文，請在留言板上 和我們以及其他的學習者

in the comments!

分享您的經歷！

Thanks for watching!

感謝您的觀看！

See you next time!

下次見！