B1CEFRWriting30 min

Writing: Renting and Living with Flatmates

Renting a flat and living with flatmates

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🏠 Module 1: Getting Ready

Learn and practice key words for renting a flat and sharing a home with flatmates.

Guide

How to use this lesson

👩‍🏫

For the Teacher

What to do & duration: Guide students through these 16 vocabulary tasks as a quick 10-minute warm-up before writing.

Checking: Check the answers together on the board or ask learners to read their completed sentences aloud.

🎒

For the Learner

What to do first: Read the ten vocabulary words below and make sure you know what each word means.

What to do next: Complete exercises (a) to (d), check your work, and write down any tricky words in your notebook.

🔑 Target Vocabulary (10 Words)

tenant deposit lease furniture flatmate rubbish laundry messy affordable peaceful
A

Word Order

Put the words in the right order. Rewrite the sentence correctly in the box, then check your work.

Question 1

Sentence 1 of 4

Unscramble these words:

the / tenant / paid / deposit / new / today / the
Rewrite the sentence: ____

Question 2

Sentence 2 of 4

Unscramble these words:

lease / yesterday / signed / a / we / one-year
Rewrite the sentence: ____

Question 3

Sentence 3 of 4

Unscramble these words:

never / flatmate / laundry / the / does / my
Rewrite the sentence: ____

Question 4

Sentence 4 of 4

Unscramble these words:

the / take / tonight / out / rubbish / please
Rewrite the sentence: ____
B

Fill in the Blanks

Choose the best word from the word bank to complete each sentence. Write one word in each blank.

Word Bank

affordable deposit furniture messy peaceful

Question 5

The living room was very ____ because clothes and books were everywhere on the floor.

Question 6

We need to buy some basic ____ like a bed, a desk, and two chairs.

Question 7

The monthly rent is quite low, so this apartment is very ____ for students.

Question 8

I enjoy living on this street because it is quiet and ____ late at night.

Question 9

Before moving in, you must pay one month of rent as a security ____ to the landlord.

C

Choose the Correct Word

Select the word that best completes each sentence.

Question 10

Every month, the ___ must pay the rent directly to the landlord.

____ a. tenant ____ b. rubbish ____ c. laundry

Question 11

Sarah shares a flat with Anna. Anna is Sarah's ___.

____ a. lease ____ b. flatmate ____ c. deposit

Question 12

The kitchen bin is completely full. Could you please take out the ___?

____ a. furniture ____ b. rubbish ____ c. tenant

Question 13

Before getting the keys, we must sign a rental ___ for twelve months.

____ a. lease ____ b. laundry ____ c. flatmate
D

Match Questions and Answers

Match each question to the most natural answer. Choose the correct reply.

Question 14

"How much is the deposit for the room?"

Select the best answer:

____ a. It is £500, and you get it back when you move out. ____ b. We usually do it on Sunday afternoons. ____ c. No, my flatmate signed it yesterday.

Question 15

"Why is the living room so messy?"

Select the best answer:

____ a. Yes, the room comes with a comfortable sofa and a desk. ____ b. Because we left our moving boxes and bags all over the floor. ____ c. The new tenant is arriving next Monday morning.

Question 16

"When do you usually do the laundry?"

Select the best answer:

____ a. I wash my clothes every Saturday morning. ____ b. Our street is very peaceful and quiet at night. ____ c. The rent is quite affordable for two people.
✨

Great job getting ready!

You have reviewed the 10 key words for living in a shared flat. You are now prepared to move on to Module 2: Writing the Email.

✉️ Module 2: Writing your Email

Read the task, use the sentence starters to organize your ideas, and write your email in the box below.

Writing Task 100–120 words

"Write an email to a friend who is going to move into your flat next month. Tell your friend about the rules of the flat and about the jobs that each person does."

1

Sentence Starters

Build your email around these sentence starters:

Hi ...,
I am writing to tell you about ...
We are supposed to ...
You are expected to ...
You needn't ...
Write back soon
2

What to Include

Make sure your email contains all five points:

✓ The day your friend moves in
✓ Two rules with supposed to or expected to
✓ One thing your friend needn't do
✓ One job that each person does
✓ A friendly ending

Your Email

AI Graded
Write your full email here (100–120 words). When you are finished, click Submit to receive detailed feedback. ____ (Hi Alex, I am writing to tell you about...)

📖 Module 3: Model Answer

Read this example email to see how all the parts fit together smoothly.

Sample Email Subject: Moving in next month & flat rules
115 words

Hi Alex,

I am writing to tell you about our flat before you move in on the fifth of next month.

Here are a few simple house rules to help us get along well. We are supposed to keep noise down after ten at night because the neighbors work early. Also, you are expected to tidy up the kitchen right after cooking. You needn't buy any plates or pots because we already have plenty in the cupboards.

As for shared chores, each person does a specific job every week. Sarah always takes out the rubbish, and I do the weekly bathroom cleaning.

Let me know if you have any questions at all. Write back soon.

Best,
Sam

💡

Why this works

Look at why these five bold phrases make the email polite, natural, and easy to read.

1

I am writing to tell you about ...

This immediately explains the main reason for your email so the reader knows what to expect right away.

2

We are supposed to ...

Using "we" shows that this rule applies to everyone in the flat equally, making the tone fair and friendly.

3

You are expected to ...

This states an important house habit clearly without using harsh words like "you must" or "you have to".

4

You needn't ...

This reassures your friend that something is not necessary, helping them save time and money before moving in.

5

Write back soon

This is a warm, casual sign-off that invites your friend to reply and ask any questions before move-in day.

📋

Task Checklist Review

Notice how the model answer covers every requirement from Module 2:

✅ Move-in date: the fifth of next month
✅ Two rules: quiet hours & tidy kitchen
✅ One unnecessary thing: pots and plates
✅ Jobs done: Sarah (rubbish), Sam (bathroom)
✅ Ending: friendly sign-off & reply request
✅ Length: 115 words (ideal for B1)

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