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Classroom slides
Show these on a projector or TV. Use the arrow keys, or tap the right side of a slide to go forward and the left side to go back. Press ▶ to play the recording, F for full screen and P to play the slide's audio.
Everyday English · Lesson 25 · Confident · B1
Asking for rental repairs
Report a problem in your rental and follow it up in writing.
Welcome, !
Warm-up · talk with a partner
What things break at home? Who fixes them?
Key phrase 1 of 8
I'm writing to report a problem.
Start of an email.
Key phrase 2 of 8
The hot water isn't working.
Describe the problem.
Key phrase 3 of 8
It started on Monday.
Say when it started.
Key phrase 4 of 8
I've attached some photos.
Evidence helps.
Key phrase 5 of 8
This is urgent because…
Explain urgency.
Key phrase 6 of 8
Could you let me know when someone can come?
Ask for a time.
Key phrase 7 of 8
I'm following up on my email from last week.
Follow up.
Key phrase 8 of 8
I'm happy to give access on Thursday.
Say when they can come in.
Conversation
Property manager and Kofi
Listen to the whole conversation first. Then we go line by line.
Conversation · line 1 of 8
Property manager
Hi Kofi, it's Rachel from the agency. I got your email.
Conversation · line 2 of 8
Property manager: Hi Kofi, it's Rachel from the agency. I got your email.
Kofi
Thanks for calling. The hot water isn't working. It started on Monday.
Conversation · line 3 of 8
Kofi: Thanks for calling. The hot water isn't working. It started on Monday.
Property manager
I'm sorry. Have you checked the switch on the system?
Conversation · line 4 of 8
Property manager: I'm sorry. Have you checked the switch on the system?
Kofi
Yes, I've tried that. I've attached photos of the error light.
Conversation · line 5 of 8
Kofi: Yes, I've tried that. I've attached photos of the error light.
Property manager
OK, I'll get a plumber out. Are you home on Thursday?
Conversation · line 6 of 8
Property manager: OK, I'll get a plumber out. Are you home on Thursday?
Kofi
I'm at work, but I'm happy to give access with the keys.
Conversation · line 7 of 8
Kofi: I'm at work, but I'm happy to give access with the keys.
Property manager
Great. The plumber will come between nine and twelve.
Conversation · line 8 of 8
Property manager: Great. The plumber will come between nine and twelve.
Kofi
Thanks, Rachel. Could you confirm that by email?
Your turn · role-play
Work with a partner
Student A is Property manager. Student B is Kofi. Read the conversation together, then swap. Then try it again with your own details.
Your turn · say it 1 of 3
I'm writing to report a problem with …
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 2 of 3
It started on …
Use your own details where you see “…”. Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Your turn · say it 3 of 3
Could you let me know when someone can come?
Say it to your partner, then listen to theirs.
Quiz · question 1 of 5
Why report repairs in writing?
- A Because phone calls are illegal
- B It's faster
- C So there's a record
✓ C: Emails or forms create a record with dates.
Quiz · question 2 of 5
What helps the agent understand the problem?
- A Nothing
- B Photos
- C A long story
✓ B: Photos are good evidence.
Quiz · question 3 of 5
What does 'give access' mean?
- A Open a bank account
- B Let someone into the property
- C Give a password
✓ B: Let the tradesperson in.
Quiz · question 4 of 5
Which is an 'urgent' repair in most states?
- A A small scratch
- B Old curtains
- C No hot water
✓ C: Hot water, gas leaks and serious faults are usually urgent repairs.
Quiz · question 5 of 5
What does 'I'm following up' mean?
- A I'm checking on something I asked about before
- B I'm walking behind you
- C I'm angry
✓ A: Follow up = check progress.
Good to know in Australia 🇦🇺
Each state has rules about urgent repairs like no hot water, gas leaks or broken locks. Your state's tenancy authority or tenants' advice service can explain your rights.
Well done, !
Practise at home
The same lesson, free, no sign-up:
englishcoaching.au/
Free lessons at englishcoaching.au
· englishcoaching.au
Teacher notes
Level: Confident · B1 · Time: about 60 minutes · You need: this page on a screen with sound, and one printed worksheet per learner.
Warm-up (5 minutes)
Show the warm-up slide and ask: "What things break at home? Who fixes them?" Learners talk in pairs for two minutes, then a few share with the class.
Three steps
- Key phrases (15 minutes). Show each phrase, press ▶ and let learners listen once, then repeat together, then one by one. Check meaning with the note on the slide: "When would you say this?"
- The conversation (15 minutes). Play the whole conversation once with worksheets face down. Then go line by line while learners fill the gaps in part B of the worksheet. Check answers, then learners read it in pairs.
- Your turn and the quiz (20 minutes). Learners say the "Your turn" sentences with their own details, do the role-play below, then answer the quiz slides in pairs before you press "Show answer". Finish with part D of the worksheet (their own sentences).
Pair work
Student A is Property manager and student B is Kofi. Pairs read the conversation, swap roles, then turn the worksheet over and do it again from memory, changing the details (names, times, places, prices). Stronger pairs add two lines of their own; newer learners can keep the worksheet in front of them.
Using the audio
- Every phrase and conversation line is recorded with natural AI voices: Property manager is read by Mel and Kofi by Josh. Press ▶ on a slide or press P.
- Play each phrase twice: once to listen, once for the class to repeat. On the conversation slides, pause after each line so learners can repeat it.
- Test the sound before class. If the internet is slow, open the slides a few minutes early and play the first phrase once.
Good to know in Australia
Each state has rules about urgent repairs like no hot water, gas leaks or broken locks. Your state's tenancy authority or tenants' advice service can explain your rights.
After class
- Learners can do the full lesson at home, free and with no sign-up: Asking for rental repairs. The last slide has a QR code to it.
- Running a course? Print certificates of participation when your group finishes a level.
Printable worksheet
One A4 worksheet per learner: the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, and space for their own sentences. The answer key prints on a separate page.
Name: Date:
Everyday English · Lesson 25: Asking for rental repairs
Report a problem in your rental and follow it up in writing.
A. Key phrases: fill the gaps
Word bank: access · attached · because · following · someone · started · working · writing
- I'm to report a problem. (Start of an email)
- The hot water isn't . (Describe the problem)
- It on Monday. (Say when it started)
- I've some photos. (Evidence helps)
- This is urgent … (Explain urgency)
- Could you let me know when can come? (Ask for a time)
- I'm up on my email from last week. (Follow up)
- I'm happy to give on Thursday. (Say when they can come in)
B. Listen to the conversation and fill the gaps
- Property manager: Hi Kofi, it's Rachel from the . I got your email.
- Kofi: Thanks for . The hot water isn't working. It started on Monday.
- Property manager: I'm sorry. Have you the switch on the system?
- Kofi: Yes, I've tried that. I've attached of the error light.
- Property manager: OK, I'll get a out. Are you home on Thursday?
- Kofi: I'm at work, but I'm to give access with the keys.
- Property manager: Great. The will come between nine and twelve.
- Kofi: Thanks, Rachel. Could you that by email?
C. Quick quiz: circle the best answer
Why report repairs in writing?
a) Because phone calls are illegalb) It's fasterc) So there's a record
What helps the agent understand the problem?
a) Nothingb) Photosc) A long story
What does 'give access' mean?
a) Open a bank accountb) Let someone into the propertyc) Give a password
Which is an 'urgent' repair in most states?
a) A small scratchb) Old curtainsc) No hot water
What does 'I'm following up' mean?
a) I'm checking on something I asked about beforeb) I'm walking behind youc) I'm angry
D. My sentences
Finish these with your own details. Then write two more sentences you can use this week.
- I'm writing to report a problem with
- It started on
- Could you let me know when someone can come?
Free lesson with audio: englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/asking-for-rental-repairs/ · Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Answer key · Lesson 25: Asking for rental repairs
A. Key phrases
- I'm writing to report a problem.
- The hot water isn't working.
- It started on Monday.
- I've attached some photos.
- This is urgent because…
- Could you let me know when someone can come?
- I'm following up on my email from last week.
- I'm happy to give access on Thursday.
B. Conversation gaps
- agency
- calling
- checked
- photos
- plumber
- happy
- plumber
- confirm
C. Quiz
- c) So there's a record
- b) Photos
- b) Let someone into the property
- c) No hot water
- a) I'm checking on something I asked about before
englishcoaching.au/learn-english/everyday-english/asking-for-rental-repairs/
Free to use with your learners. Please keep the englishcoaching link on printed copies.
Frequently asked questions
How do I teach asking for rental repairs to adult English learners?
Start with a warm-up question, present the 8 key phrases with the recorded audio, play the conversation line by line, let learners role-play it with their own details, and finish with the quiz. The teacher notes on this page give timings for a 60-minute class.
What level is this lesson?
Confident level, about CEFR B1. It is lesson 25 of 42 in our free Everyday English course, so you can follow the course week by week or pick the topics your learners need.
Do learners need an account?
No. Learners can do the same lesson at home for free, with no sign-up, at /learn-english/everyday-english/asking-for-rental-repairs/. Their progress is saved only on their own device.
Can I print the worksheet?
Yes. Press 'Print the worksheet' to print it or save it as a PDF on A4 paper. It has the key phrases and the conversation with gaps, the quiz, space for learners' own sentences and an answer key on a separate page.
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