Discussing Repair Costs/Responsibility
A repair is needed (e.g., a broken window), and the landlord/property management discusses with the tenant who is responsible for the cost, based on the lease agreement or cause of damage.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
broken
This adjective describes something that is damaged or not working properly, like a broken window. Use it when talking about items that need repair in everyday situations.
contractor
A person or company hired to do specific work, like repairs. In this context, it's someone fixing the apartment. It's common in discussions about home maintenance.
lease agreement
A legal document that outlines the terms of renting a property, including who pays for damages. Tenants and landlords refer to it to clarify responsibilities.
damage
Harm or injury to something, like a crack in a window. Use this noun when describing problems in rentals or insurance claims.
tenant
A person who rents and lives in a property. It's the opposite of a landlord. Use it in conversations about renting apartments or houses.
responsibility
The duty or obligation to handle something, like paying for repairs. In this dialogue, it refers to who is in charge of costs.
ambiguous
Unclear or open to more than one interpretation, like the cause of damage. Use it when situations are not straightforward and need clarification.
split the cost
To divide the expense equally between two parties. It's a practical phrase for negotiating shared payments in rentals or group activities.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I wanted to discuss the broken window in your living room.
This is a polite way to start a conversation about a problem. Use 'wanted to' to express a past intention softly. It's useful for introducing issues in professional or rental talks, showing respect.
What's the plan for getting it fixed?
A direct question asking about steps to solve a problem. 'Getting it fixed' uses the gerund form for actions. Practice this in service requests to show you're proactive about solutions.
I've got a contractor lined up to come by tomorrow.
This means arranging someone in advance. 'Lined up' is an informal phrasal verb for scheduling. It's handy for updating others on repair plans in maintenance discussions.
I reviewed our lease agreement, and for damage caused by a tenant, it states the tenant is responsible.
This sentence uses 'reviewed' for checking a document and a relative clause 'caused by a tenant' to explain conditions. It's key for legal talks; use it to reference agreements clearly.
Since it's a bit ambiguous, how about we split the cost 50/50 this time?
Offers a compromise politely with 'how about' for suggestions. 'Ambiguous' means unclear, and 'split 50/50' means share equally. Great for negotiations when facts are uncertain.
That sounds fair. I appreciate your understanding.
Expresses agreement and thanks. 'Sounds fair' is idiomatic for seeming just, and 'appreciate' shows gratitude. Use this to end discussions positively in disputes.
Just let me know the total cost once it's fixed.
Requests information after an action, using 'once' for 'after.' It's a simple future request. Useful in follow-ups for services like repairs.
The contractor will be there tomorrow morning between 9 and 11 AM. Does that work for you?
Provides a time range and checks availability with 'Does that work for you?' This polite question confirms schedules. Essential for arranging appointments.