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Learn Some Basic English

The importance of learning some basic English cannot be over emphasised. If your knowledge of basic English is poor, your choice of accommodation will be restricted to those properties recommended by, and maybe already, or previously occupied by, tenants whose first language is the same as yours. For the whole rented property market to be accessible to you, a basic knowledge of English is essential. When searching for accommodation grammar is of secondary importance. First and foremost you should build up a good vocabulary of practical, useful words and phrases.

The vocabulary required to understand the basic content of accommodation adverts is relatively small and specialised. The best way to do this is to read adverts online and elsewhere, with the sole purpose of familiarising yourself with the words, phrases, expressions and abbreviations that are commonly used. If you don't understand a word or phrase, look it up in the dictionary. Don't just pass it by, hoping that you never need to understand or use the word or phrase in a real situation.

It is better to learn basic English at your own pace, without any pressure, perhaps before you arrive in the U.K., than to panic at a later stage when you are talking to a landlord on the phone, or chatting to a letting agent at a viewing. It goes without saying that reading online adverts on such websites as Gumtree, before you even leave your home country, is a highly beneficial method of building up a useful knowledge of relevant English. There are always tools available to help you -

Printed English Dictionary
Electronic English Dictionary
Definitions Page on this site
Online English Dictionaries.
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If you are not already enrolled for an EFL (English as a foreign language) course at a language school this is an option that is well worth considering.
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Apart from easing the whole process of searching for, finding, and moving into accommodation in the U.K., learning some basic English has other obvious benefits. Better quality, better paid jobs will become available to you. You will find it easier to make new and interesting friendships with both local people, and with people from all over the world. And it will enable you to discover so much more of what the U.K. has to offer. So, learn a little English, and start living life to the full.

Where to Stay on Arrival in the U.K.

You are probably asking yourself, where you are going to stay on your first night in the U.K. And to put your mind at rest, you would most likely wish to book your first night's accommodation in advance, preferably over the Internet. Choose a bed and breakfast. You can stay for just one night if you want, making it an ideal temporary, short term solution while you become familiar with your new surroundings.
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If you are an EFL student your language school will almost certainly have arranged homestay accommodation for you. For you, the problem of where to stay on first arriving is therefore avoided.

Remote Advance Reservation

Maybe you have found accommodation in an online advert. The accommodation sounds just right for you, but unfortunately you are currently located in another country. And perhaps your planned moving in date is weeks or even months away in the future. You may be tempted to try and reserve the accommodation in advance. Don't do it. It won't work.
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Attend the Viewing in Person

Maybe you have found accommodation in an online advert. The accommodation sounds just right for you, but unfortunately you are currently located in another country. You have a friend who already lives in the town where the accommodation is located. You are tempted to appoint the friend to view the accommodation on your behalf. Don't do it. It won't work.
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Mixing Is Good

Mixing with International groups is good. Becoming part of an International group is even better. Why search for properties or accommodation where all the sharers originate from the same country as yourself? If you do share with others from the same country as you, it's certain that English will not be the chosen language to use around the home. If you share with others who come from different countries your only common language will be English. Hence, an excellent way of getting rid of that shyness. An excellent way of improving your English. It can be a real adventure, a decision that you'll never regret. This advice applies whether you decide to rent a room in a shared house, or whether you decide to share a flat or house with others. If you rent a studio or bedsit alone, naturally you will miss out on this opportunity.

One word of warning though. Young English people, in particular students, have a reputation for riotous living. Parties and loud music, especially into the early hours of the morning can be a way of life for them. This is fine if you are a party person yourself. But if you prefer peace and quiet and a good night's sleep, take care when choosing those with whom you are going to share accommodation. If you are wise, you will find out a little about your potential future roommate, flatmates or housemates at the viewing. No need to ask direct questions. A casual conversation can be used to reveal all that you wish to know. It's just a matter of subtly directing the conversation in the right direction.

Talking is Good - Listening is Good

Despite unfamiliarity with the English language, the general rule is -
Talk is better than Text - Text is better than E-mail
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If you are enquiring about accommodation, don't ask a friend to talk to the landlord on your behalf, because your English is bad. Do the talking yourself. The landlord doesn't want to talk to your friend. He wants to talk to you.

If you are one of a group, attending a viewing, don't let your friends do all the talking. There are probably questions that you would like to ask. Don't be shy, ask!

More important, if you are in the process of setting up a studio, flat or house rental, employing a tenancy agreement, and other legal documentation, don't feel embarrassed if you don't understand the technical language. Don't pretend you understand when you don't. Ask questions. Above all, never sign a document that you don't fully understand. It may seem harmless at the time but when things go wrong later during the tenancy, you may end up wishing you had asked questions before signing right back at the start.

Learn English from your Landlord

If you live in a shared house with a resident landlord or landlady, don't necessarily try to keep them at a distance. Making friends with the landlord or landlady can prove to be very beneficial. If their first language is English, which it probably will be, talking to them will help improve your English. Futhermore if you need local information, if you have a difficult problem to sort out, or if some kind of emergency occurs, you may discover that your landlord or landlady can offer you valuable assistance.

Bad Habit No.1

Once you have moved into your new accommodation, you may be tempted to invite a group of friends around to cook and eat a meal together. But remember if you share the kitchen with other people, in a particular a resident landlord, this could prove to be an unpopular idea. Other sharers may not be happy if you overcrowd the kitchen with your friends, leaving little room for others to cook and eat in peace. The problem is made considerably worse if you and your friends insist in speaking in your own language, rather then in English. Others who share the kitchen will feel excluded. The landlord may feel uncomfortable in his own home. If this habit is repeated frequently other sharers may decide to look for alternative accommodation and move out. If you have a resident landlord, he may first give you a polite warning, and if that is ignored, give you notice to leave.

The simple answer is for both you and your friends to speak English when in the kitchen or another communal area, such as the lounge or garden. Introduce your fellow sharers to your friends. Make everyone feel relaxed and at home. Nobody should feel excluded. If you do it right, new friendships can be made and a lot of fun can be had by all.

LEARN SOME BASIC ENGLISH
WHERE TO STAY ON ARRIVAL IN THE U.K.
REMOTE ADVANCE RESERVATION
ATTEND THE VIEWING IN PERSON
MIXING IS GOOD
TALKING IS GOOD - LISTENING IS GOOD
LEARN ENGLISH FROM YOUR LANDLORD
BAD HABIT NO.1

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