TOPIC 7 OF 25
Renting an Apartment
How to find housing, understand lease agreements, and protect your rights as a tenant
Part 1: Dictionary • Part 2: Dialogue • Part 3: Article
PART 1 | COMPREHENSIVE DICTIONARY
21 essential vocabulary terms with definitions and context sentences
Context: Finding housing, understanding lease terms, and communicating with landlords
1. Security deposit (noun)
Definition: A sum of money paid before moving in, held by the landlord and returned when the tenant leaves if the unit is undamaged.
Example: “She paid a security deposit equal to one month’s rent before moving into the apartment.”
2. Lease (noun)
Definition: A legal contract between a tenant and landlord specifying terms of renting a property.
Example: “Before signing the lease, she read every clause carefully to understand her responsibilities.”
3. Landlord (noun)
Definition: The person or company that owns a rental property and rents it to tenants.
Example: “She called the landlord to report a broken heater in the apartment.”
4. Tenant (noun)
Definition: A person who rents and lives in a property owned by someone else.
Example: “As a tenant, she was responsible for keeping the apartment clean and paying rent on time.”
5. Utilities (noun)
Definition: Essential services such as electricity, gas, water, and internet connected to a home.
Example: “The rent was $1,200, and utilities — electricity and gas — were not included.”
6. Lease term (noun)
Definition: The duration of the rental agreement, typically 6 or 12 months.
Example: “She chose a 12-month lease term to secure a lower monthly rent.”
7. Month-to-month (adjective)
Definition: A rental agreement renewed each month, offering more flexibility but usually at a higher price.
Example: “After her year lease ended, she switched to a month-to-month arrangement.”
8. Application fee (noun)
Definition: A non-refundable charge paid when applying to rent a unit, used to cover background and credit checks.
Example: “Each applicant paid a $50 application fee to cover the cost of the credit check.”
9. Credit check (noun)
Definition: A review of an applicant’s credit history to assess financial responsibility.
Example: “The landlord ran a credit check and was satisfied with her payment history.”
10. Background check (noun)
Definition: A review of an applicant’s criminal and rental history.
Example: “She passed the background check without any issues and was approved the next day.”
11. Move-in date (noun)
Definition: The agreed date when the tenant can begin occupying the rental unit.
Example: “They agreed on a move-in date of the first of the month to align with the billing cycle.”
12. Notice to vacate (noun)
Definition: A formal written notification that a tenant or landlord intends to end the rental agreement.
Example: “She gave 30 days notice to vacate before moving to her new apartment.”
13. Renters insurance (noun)
Definition: Insurance that covers a tenant’s personal belongings and liability within a rented home.
Example: “Her landlord required renters insurance before she could move in.”
14. Property manager (noun)
Definition: A person hired by the owner to manage a rental property’s daily operations and tenant relations.
Example: “She contacted the property manager about the noisy neighbors upstairs.”
15. Furnished / Unfurnished (adjective)
Definition: Furnished includes furniture; unfurnished means the tenant must provide their own.
Example: “The apartment was unfurnished, so she had to buy a bed, couch, and kitchen table.”
16. Pet policy (noun)
Definition: The landlord’s rules regarding whether and what type of pets are allowed in the rental unit.
Example: “The pet policy allowed cats but not dogs over 25 pounds.”
17. Subletting (verb)
Definition: Renting out your apartment to another person while you are still under the original lease.
Example: “Her lease did not allow subletting without the landlord’s written permission.”
18. Late fee (noun)
Definition: A penalty charged when rent is paid after the due date.
Example: “Her lease stated that a $75 late fee would be charged if rent was not received by the 5th.”
19. Habitability (noun)
Definition: The legal standard requiring rental units to be safe, sanitary, and livable.
Example: “A broken heating system in winter violates the legal standard of habitability.”
20. Walk-through (noun)
Definition: An inspection of the apartment before moving in or after moving out to document its condition.
Example: “During the move-out walk-through, the landlord noted a small stain on the carpet.”
21. Square footage (noun)
Definition: The total floor area of a room or home measured in square feet.
Example: “The two-bedroom apartment was 850 square feet, which was enough space for her small family.”
TOPIC 7 — RENTING AN APARTMENT
PART 2 | REAL-LIFE DIALOGUE
A realistic conversation demonstrating key communication in this situation
Setting: Viewing an apartment and discussing a lease
Key Phrases: Security deposit • Utilities included • Lease term • Application fee
Landlord: Hi, you must be Sofia! Thanks for coming to see the apartment. I’m David, the property manager.
Sofia: Hi David, nice to meet you! The listing looked really promising. Can we take a look inside?
David: Of course, right this way. So this is a two-bedroom, one-bath unit. It was just repainted last week.
Sofia: It looks fresh! I love the natural light. A quick question — are any utilities included in the rent?
David: Water and trash are included. You’d be responsible for electricity and gas, and internet of course.
Sofia: Okay, that’s helpful. And the rent is $1,450 a month, right? Is there any flexibility on that?
David: That’s the listed price, yes. It’s pretty firm, but if you sign a 12-month lease instead of month-to-month, I can do $1,400.
Sofia: That’s great. What about the security deposit?
David: It’s one month’s rent — so $1,400 if you sign the annual lease. It’s fully refundable as long as the apartment is in good condition when you leave.
Sofia: Is there an application fee?
David: Yes, $50 per adult applicant. That covers the background and credit check. It’s non-refundable.
Sofia: What are you looking for in a tenant? I’ve only been working at my current job for three months.
David: We like to see income that’s at least three times the rent, and a clean rental history. Three months is a bit short, but if your income is solid, we can look at the full picture.
Language Notes
Always ask what utilities are included. Understand the difference between a security deposit (refundable) and an application fee (usually not). A lease term of 12 months often saves money.
TOPIC 7 — RENTING AN APARTMENT
PART 3 | INFORMATIONAL ARTICLE
How to find housing, understand lease agreements, and protect your rights as a tenant | CEFR B1 Level
Key Vocabulary: security deposit • lease • tenant rights • habitability • renters insurance
Finding an Apartment
Finding an apartment in America involves several steps. The first step is determining your budget. Most financial advisors recommend spending no more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. For example, if you earn $3,000 a month, your rent should ideally be no more than $900. However, in expensive cities like New York or San Francisco, this is often difficult to achieve.
Popular websites for finding apartments include Zillow, Apartments.com, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace. Many property management companies also list directly on their own websites. In addition to online searching, talking to neighbors, coworkers, and community members can lead you to apartments that are not publicly advertised.
When you contact a landlord about an apartment, be prepared to answer questions about your employment, income, and rental history. Landlords typically look for tenants who earn at least 2.5 to 3 times the monthly rent.
The Rental Application Process
When you find an apartment you like, you will usually need to submit a rental application. The application asks for your personal information, employment history, income, previous rental history, and references (usually former landlords or employers who can confirm you are a reliable tenant).
Most landlords charge an application fee — typically $25 to $75 per adult applicant — to cover the cost of a background check and credit check. A background check reviews your criminal history. A credit check reviews your history of paying bills and loans on time. Both are standard practice in America and are not meant to be personal — they are just how landlords verify that tenants are reliable.
If you do not have a credit history in the United States yet (which is common for new immigrants), you can offer to pay a larger security deposit, provide proof of employment or income, or offer a co-signer — someone with established credit who agrees to be responsible if you fail to pay rent.
Understanding Your Lease
A lease is a legal contract between you and the landlord. It is very important to read the entire lease carefully before signing. Take your time — you are not required to sign immediately, and you can ask a trusted friend or community organization to review it with you.
Key things to look for in a lease: the monthly rent amount and when it is due, the length of the lease (usually 12 months or month-to-month), what utilities are included (water, trash, heat, electricity), the security deposit amount and the conditions for getting it back, the rules about pets, guests, and subletting (renting to someone else), the late fee policy, and the notice required before you move out.
Once you sign a lease, you are legally obligated to follow its terms. If you need to end the lease early, there may be penalties. Always communicate in writing with your landlord about any important issues so you have a record.
Security Deposits
A security deposit is money you pay before moving in, usually equal to one month’s rent. The landlord holds this money in case you damage the apartment beyond normal wear and tear. “Normal wear and tear” means the small scratches, nail holes, and minor scuffs that naturally happen when people live in a home for a year or more. These should not be deducted from your security deposit.
Damage that can be deducted includes large stains on carpet, broken fixtures, holes in walls, and anything that requires repair beyond normal cleaning. The landlord must return your security deposit (minus any legitimate deductions) within a specific number of days after you move out — this varies by state but is typically 14 to 30 days.
To protect yourself, always do a move-in walk-through with the landlord and document the condition of the apartment with photos and notes before you move your belongings in. This evidence will protect you from being charged for damage that was already there.
Renters Insurance
Renters insurance is a type of insurance that protects your personal belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing, etc.) if they are stolen, damaged by fire, or destroyed by a natural disaster. Many people do not realize that their landlord’s insurance only covers the building itself — not anything inside your apartment.
Renters insurance is very affordable — typically $10 to $20 per month. It also provides liability coverage, which protects you if someone is injured in your apartment and decides to sue you. Some landlords now require tenants to have renters insurance as a condition of the lease.
Getting renters insurance is a smart financial decision that most tenants should consider, especially if they own a computer, television, phone, and other electronics that would be expensive to replace.
Your Rights as a Tenant
American tenants have important legal rights. Every rental property must meet minimum standards of habitability — meaning the landlord is legally required to provide heat, hot water, functioning plumbing, and a safe, structurally sound building. If any of these basics are missing, you have the right to report the problem to your local housing authority or code enforcement office.
Your landlord cannot legally enter your apartment without giving you proper notice (usually 24 to 48 hours) except in a genuine emergency. They also cannot retaliate against you (raise your rent, try to evict you) for reporting a code violation or exercising your legal rights.
If you have a serious dispute with your landlord, many cities have tenant advocacy organizations that provide free legal advice. Local Legal Aid offices provide free legal help to low-income residents. Knowing your rights is the first step to protecting yourself.
Quick Tips: Apartment Renting Checklist
• Document the apartment’s condition with photos before moving in.
• Read the entire lease before signing — never feel rushed.
• Keep all communication with your landlord in writing.
• Get renters insurance — it costs about $15 a month and protects everything you own.
• Know your state’s security deposit return deadline (usually 14–30 days after move-out).
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