Houses and home words – B1+ English Vocabulary

Houses and home words

In this B1+ Upper-intermediate Vocabulary Lesson about Houses and Homes, you will learn essential terms and phrases used to describe various types of housing, the roles of individuals in real estate transactions, common housing-related issues, and key concepts involved in renting, buying, and maintaining properties. Check the definitions and examples below to understand these terms better.

Types of houses or buildings

1 A detached house is a standalone residential structure that does not share any walls with other houses.

• They live in a spacious detached house with a large garden.

2 A semi-detached house (UK) or duplex (US) is a single building divided into two separate homes, sharing one common wall.

• Our semi-detached house shares a wall with the neighbors.

3 A terraced house (UK), also known as a town house (US), is one of a row of identical or similar houses sharing side walls.

• We moved into a cozy terraced house in the city center.

4 A cottage or cabin is a small, often cozy house, typically in a rural or semi-rural location.

• The cottage in the countryside is our weekend retreat.

5 A bedsit is a one-room apartment typically consisting of a combined bedroom and living area with cooking facilities.

• He rents a small bedsit near the university.

6 A flat or apartment is a self-contained housing unit that occupies part of a building.

• She lives in a modern apartment downtown.

7 A block of flats (UK) or apartment building (US) containing multiple flats or apartments on each floor.

• They moved into a new block of flats overlooking the park.

8 A penthouse is an apartment on the top floor of a tall building, typically luxuriously fitted and offering fine views.

• The penthouse has an amazing view of the entire city skyline.

People in real state

1 A landlord is someone who owns a property and rents it out to tenants.

• Our landlord is very responsive whenever we need repairs.

2 A tenant is a person who rents a property from a landlord.

• She’s been a reliable tenant for over three years.

3 A homeowner is a person who owns their home.

• As a homeowner, he takes great pride in maintaining his home.

4 A homebuyer is someone in the process of buying a house.

• The homebuyer was excited about her first purchase.

5 An estate agent in the UK or a real estate agent in the US helps people buy, sell, or rent properties.

• The estate agent found them their dream home.

Renting, buying, and maintaining properties

6 Utility bills are regular payments made for services like electricity, water, and gas.

• Each month, she sets aside money for the utility bills.

7 To let (UK), rent out (US), or lease a property means to allow someone to use it in exchange for rent.

• They decided to rent out their apartment while living abroad.

8 Rent is the payment made by a tenant to a landlord for using a property.

• The rent for their flat is due on the first of each month.

9 To evict someone is to legally remove a tenant from a property.

• The landlord had to evict the tenants due to non-payment of rent.

10 To take out a mortgage is to borrow money from a bank to buy a property.

• They decided to take out a mortgage to buy their first home.

House issues

11 Leaks occur when water escapes from pipes or plumbing fixtures, often causing damage.

• They noticed leaks in the ceiling after a heavy rainstorm.

12 Damp is a problem caused by moisture, leading to a feeling of wetness, especially in walls and floors.

• The basement has a problem with damp, making it feel cold and clammy.

13 Mould (UK) or mold (US) is a type of fungus that grows in moist environments, often seen as a discoloration or fuzzy growth on walls or other surfaces.

• She found mould in the corner of the bathroom and cleaned it immediately.

14 Cracks are lines that appear on surfaces, indicating damage or wear, often found in walls, ceilings, or floors.

• After the earthquake, several cracks appeared in the walls.

15 Poor water pressure refers to a lower-than-normal force of water flowing from taps and showers.

• The shower’s poor water pressure made it difficult to rinse off soap.

16 Poor insulation in a house can lead to heat loss, making the house less energy efficient and comfortable.

• They noticed their heating bills were high due to the house’s poor insulation.

After completing the exercises in this lesson on Houses and Homes, you can use the unit’s Vocabulary Flascards to revise and help you memorize the terms.