CELPIP vocabulary: housing and renting
Everyday words and phrases for housing and renting that come up across CELPIP Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, each with its meaning, an example, similar words and a CELPIP tip. This is topic 1 of our 500 essential CELPIP words.
Nouns 21
landlord
nounCLB 5/ˈlændlɔːrd/The owner who rents out a home.
“I emailed my landlord about the broken heater.”
Similarproperty ownerlessorownerCELPIP tip In Writing Task 1, open politely ("Dear Mr. Lee") even when you are complaining to your landlord.
tenant
nounCLB 6/ˈtenənt/A person who rents a home.
“Tenants must give written notice before they move out.”
SimilarrenteroccupantlesseeCELPIP tip Pairs naturally with "rights": mention tenant rights carefully in a complaint email, without sounding threatening.
lease
nounCLB 6/liːs/A rental contract for a set time.
“Our lease ends on June 30.”
Similarrental agreementcontracttenancy agreementCELPIP tip Common verbs: sign, renew or break a lease. "The lease is up" means it is ending.
security deposit
nounCLB 7Money held to cover damage.
“We got our security deposit back in full.”
Similardamage depositdepositCELPIP tip Some Canadian provinces say "damage deposit"; both phrases appear in Reading Part 1 letters.
utilities
nounCLB 6/juːˈtɪlətiz/Services such as electricity, water and heat.
“The rent includes utilities except the internet.”
Similarhydro and waterservicesbillsCELPIP tip Usually plural. In Speaking Task 5, say whether utilities are included when comparing two rentals.
maintenance request
nounCLB 7A formal request for a repair.
“I submitted a maintenance request for the dripping tap.”
Similarrepair requestwork orderservice requestCELPIP tip Use "submit" or "file" with it; in Writing Task 1, add when the problem started and how it affects you.
renovation
nounCLB 7/ˌrenəˈveɪʃən/Major improvement work on a building.
“The lobby is closed for renovation until May.”
SimilarremodellingupgraderefurbishmentCELPIP tip Pair it with "under": "The building is under renovation" sounds natural in Reading and Listening.
roommate
nounCLB 5/ˈruːmmeɪt/A person you share a home with.
“My roommate and I share the cost of groceries.”
Similarhousemateflatmateco-tenantCELPIP tip Roommate conflicts are a classic Speaking Task 6 situation: stay calm and offer a fair solution.
eviction
nounCLB 8/ɪˈvɪkʃən/The act of forcing a tenant to leave a rental.
“The tenant received an eviction notice for unpaid rent.”
Similarremovalexpulsionbeing put outCELPIP tip Common collocation: "eviction notice". The verb is "evict": "They were evicted for unpaid rent."
property manager
nounCLB 7The person who runs a building for the owner.
“Please contact the property manager about parking.”
Similarbuilding managersuperintendentcaretakerCELPIP tip In an email, ask the property manager for a clear action and a date, not just sympathy.
amenities
nounCLB 8/əˈmenətiz/Useful extras such as a gym or pool.
“The building's amenities include a rooftop patio.”
SimilarfacilitiesfeaturesconveniencesCELPIP tip Almost always plural in housing ads. Listing amenities adds detail to Speaking Task 5 answers.
down payment
nounCLB 7The first part of a home's price, paid up front.
“They saved for five years for a down payment.”
Similardepositinitial paymentupfront paymentCELPIP tip "Make a down payment on" a home or car; it is not the same as a security deposit.
mortgage
nounCLB 7/ˈmɔːrɡɪdʒ/A loan to buy a home.
“Higher interest rates raised their mortgage payments.”
Similarhome loanhousing loanCELPIP tip The "t" is silent: say MOR-gij. Common pairing: "pay off a mortgage".
condo
nounCLB 6/ˈkɑːndoʊ/An apartment you own in a shared building.
“Condo fees cover snow removal and repairs.”
SimilarcondominiumunitapartmentCELPIP tip Short for "condominium"; "condo fees" pay for shared costs, a useful point in Speaking Task 5.
basement suite
nounCLB 7A rental unit below a house.
“Basement suites are often cheaper but darker.”
Similarbasement apartmentlower-level unitin-law suiteCELPIP tip A very Canadian rental option; mention light, privacy and cost when comparing it with other homes.
insulation
nounCLB 8/ˌɪnsəˈleɪʃən/Material that keeps heat inside.
“Poor insulation made our heating bills very high.”
SimilarweatherproofinglaggingpaddingCELPIP tip Pair it with heating bills or drafts to give a concrete reason in a complaint email.
leak
nounCLB 6/liːk/Water escaping where it shouldn't.
“There's a leak under the bathroom sink.”
SimilardripseepagespillCELPIP tip Also a verb: "The roof is leaking." Say how long it has leaked to show urgency in Writing Task 1.
pest
nounCLB 6/pest/An insect or animal that causes problems.
“The building hired a company to deal with the pests.”
SimilarvermininfestationnuisanceCELPIP tip Name the pest (mice, bedbugs) in a complaint; "pest control" is the company that removes them.
noise complaint
nounCLB 7A report about loud neighbours.
“I made a noise complaint about the late-night parties.”
Similarnoise reportformal complaintCELPIP tip Use "make" or "file" a noise complaint. In Speaking Task 6, try talking to the neighbour first.
move-in date
nounCLB 6The day you start living somewhere.
“Is the move-in date flexible?”
Similarstart datepossession datemoving dayCELPIP tip Keep the hyphen when it comes before a noun. Asking if the date is flexible is polite in an email.
neighbourhood
nounCLB 5/ˈneɪbərhʊd/The area around your home.
“It's a quiet neighbourhood close to two schools.”
SimilarareadistrictcommunityCELPIP tip Canadian spelling keeps the "u": neighbourhood, neighbour. US spelling drops it.
Adjectives 3
furnished
adjectiveCLB 6/ˈfɜːrnɪʃt/Coming with furniture already in place.
“A furnished unit means you don't have to buy a sofa.”
Similarequippedfitted outmove-in readyCELPIP tip The opposite is "unfurnished". A furnished unit is a strong point to raise in Speaking Task 5.
spacious
adjectiveCLB 6/ˈspeɪʃəs/Having a lot of room.
“The living room is bright and spacious.”
SimilarroomylargeopenCELPIP tip Watch the spelling: it ends in -cious, not -tious. Great for describing a home in Speaking Task 5.
cramped
adjectiveCLB 7/kræmpt/Too small and crowded.
“The kitchen felt cramped with four people in it.”
SimilartightcrowdedpokyCELPIP tip Contrast it with "spacious" to show range when comparing two homes.
Verbs 1
sublet
verbCLB 8/ˌsʌbˈlet/To rent your rented home to someone else.
“Can I sublet my room while I'm away for the summer?”
Similarsubleaserent outletCELPIP tip Past tense is also "sublet". Most leases say you need the landlord's written permission first.
How to learn these words
- Skip the words you already use with confidence, and start with the ones at or just above your target CLB. Pick a level in Any CLB level to see only those.
- Say each example sentence out loud, then make your own sentence about your life.
- Open Flashcards to test yourself. Words you mark I know it drop out of the To learn view.
- Use two or three of the words on purpose in your next Speaking or Writing practice answer.
More CELPIP vocabulary by topic
- Community and local life (25 words)
- Work and the workplace (25 words)
- Jobs and careers (25 words)
- Shopping and customer service (25 words)
- Money, banking and bills (25 words)
- Transportation and commuting (25 words)
- Travel and holidays (25 words)
- Health and wellness (25 words)
- Education and children (25 words)
- Family, friends and social life (25 words)
- Food and eating out (25 words)
- Weather and the environment (25 words)
- Technology (25 words)
- News and current events (25 words)
- Events and free time (25 words)
- Requests, complaints and apologies (25 words)
- Opinions and persuasion (25 words)
- Describing pictures and scenes (25 words)
- Linking words (25 words)
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