B219 words · Upper-intermediate

Finding a Home vocabulary — B2

Finding a Home vocabulary for property types and tenancy terms, including semi-detached, fixer-upper, tenancy agreement and guarantor — words for describing a property and the contract behind it.

19 questions

Words in this set

terraced
/ˈtɛrəst/
Joined on both sides to the houses next to it in a row.
Example: They bought a small terraced house near the station.
cosy
/ˈkoʊzi/
Warm, comfortable and pleasant, especially in a small space.
Example: Their front room is really cosy in winter.
tower block
A very tall building containing many floors of flats.
Example: They live on the twelfth floor of a tower block.
semi-detached
Joined to one other home along a shared wall, with open space on the other side.
Example: They bought a semi-detached house on a quiet street.
period property
A house built in an earlier historical era, often valued for its original features.
Example: They love the original fireplaces in their period property.
new-build
A house or flat that has just been constructed, rather than an older property.
Example: They chose a new-build so everything would be modern.
fixer-upper
A property that needs a lot of repair work, usually sold cheaply as a result (informal).
Example: They bought a fixer-upper and renovated it themselves.
eco-home
A house designed to use less energy and cause less harm to the environment.
Example: The eco-home has solar panels on the roof.
granny flat
A small, separate living space attached to or near a family home, often for an older relative (informal).
Example: Her grandmother lives in the granny flat at the back of the garden.
high-rise
A very tall building with many floors, usually containing flats or offices.
Example: They live in a high-rise near the city centre.
wear and tear
The damage that comes to something just from being used over time.
Example: The landlord can't charge you for normal wear and tear.
evict
/ɪˈvɪkt/
To legally force people to leave the home they are renting.
Example: They were evicted after months of unpaid rent.
tenancy agreement
A legal contract between a landlord and the person renting, setting out the rules.
Example: Read the tenancy agreement carefully before you sign.
damages
/ˈdæmədʒəz/
Money paid to cover the cost of harm or loss caused to a property.
Example: The landlord kept part of the deposit to cover damages.
joint tenancy
An agreement where two or more people rent a property together and share responsibility.
Example: Under a joint tenancy, both flatmates are responsible for the rent.
guarantor
/ˌɡɛrənˈtɔr/
A person who agrees to pay the rent if the tenant cannot.
Example: Students often need a guarantor to rent a flat.
letting agency
A company that manages properties for landlords and finds tenants.
Example: We found our flat through a local letting agency.
rental market
The overall situation of properties available to lease in an area, including prices.
Example: The rental market here is extremely competitive.
overcrowded
/ˈoʊvərˌkraʊdɪd/
Having too many people living in too little space.
Example: The flat felt overcrowded with five of us sharing.