Landlord Trouble
M: You don't look good. Is something bothering you?
W: Yes, it's my landlord.
M: Oh, it there something wrong with your flat?
W: No, there is nothing wrong with the flat. But I'm going to have to move out.
Exercise:
1. She doesn't look good because she has to move out of her flat.
M: Why do you have to move out?
W: For the last two months, a friend has been staying with me. She is staying until she can find a job.
M: That's nice of you.
W: Yes, but I'm not supposed to have anyone staying there.
M: Was that in the rental agreement?
W: Yes, it was. It's okay if a friend stays for a few days, but not for more than that.
Exercise:
1. Her friend has been staying there for the last two months.
M: So you broke the agreement, even though it was for a good reason.
W: Anyway, one of my neighbors told the landlord about my friend. So now I'm in trouble. The landlord is angry and says she can't trust me.
M: That's ridiculous.
W: I told her about my friend and how I'm trying to help her, but she doesn't care.
Exercise:
1. The landlord is angry and says she can't trust me.
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. There's nothing wrong with her flat.
2. One of her neighbors told the landlord about her friend.
3. Her friend was going to stay until she could find a job.
4. The rental agreement says she's not supposed to have anyone staying there.
5. It's okay if a friend stays for a few days, but not for more than that.
M: Wow, she doesn't sound very nice.
W: That's right, she isn't nice. She's just interested in money. In fact, she is going to keep my security deposit.
M: How can she do that? Nothing is damaged, right?
W: Right, everything in the flat is fine. She's keeping the deposit because I broke the rental agreement.
Exercise:
— Why can the landlord keep the deposit?
— Because she broke the rental agreement.
M: What about your rent?
W: Yes, that's another problem. I've already paid 3 months' rent, so I hope I get it back.
M: What can you do if she doesn't return it?
W: I don't know. I'll talk to my agent. He's nice, and maybe he can help. Maybe I should refuse to leave the flat until I get it back.
M: Be sure to take pictures of the flat.
W: What for?
M: Just to show the condition of the flat. Then she can't say your friend damage it in anyway.
W: Good idea. She's a small-minded, evil woman. I should never have rented it from her in the first place.
Exercise:
1. Maybe I should refuse to leave the flat until I get it back.
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. She's just interested in money.
2. She's paid 3 months' rent in advance.
3. The landlord is going to keep the deposit.
4. She's keeping the deposit because I broke the rental agreement.
5. I've already paid 3 months' rent, so I hope I get it back.
