Italian · Real conversations
Housing: Italian conversation practice
Ask about rent and arrange a practical repair. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
B1 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A tenant speaking with a landlord or property manager.
Goal: Ask about rent and arrange a practical repair.
Read the conversation
Partner
L'affitto comprende alcune spese della casa.
Show English translation
The rent covers some household costs.
You
L'acqua è inclusa nell'affitto?
Show English translation
Is water included in the rent?
Partner
Sì, l'acqua è inclusa. Oggi ci sono lavori accanto.
Show English translation
Yes, water is included. There are repairs next door today.
You
Potresti fare un po' meno rumore?
Show English translation
Could you keep the noise down?
Partner
Chiederò agli operai di fare meno rumore. C'è un altro problema?
Show English translation
I'll ask the workers to be quieter. Is there another problem?
You
Il riscaldamento non funziona.
Show English translation
The heating isn't working.
Partner
Mi dispiace. Manderò qualcuno a controllare.
Show English translation
I'm sorry. I'll arrange for someone to look at it.
You
Quando può venire qualcuno a ripararlo?
Show English translation
When can someone come to fix it?
Partner
Domani mattina. Se pensa di traslocare, ci avvisi in anticipo.
Show English translation
Tomorrow morning. If you plan to move out, let us know in advance.
You
Con quanto anticipo devo avvisare?
Show English translation
How much notice do I need to give?
Try your part first
Partner says: The rent covers some household costs. Your goal: Is water included in the rent?
Reveal a sample reply
L'acqua è inclusa nell'affitto?
Is water included in the rent?
Partner says: Yes, water is included. There are repairs next door today. Your goal: Could you keep the noise down?
Reveal a sample reply
Potresti fare un po' meno rumore?
Could you keep the noise down?
Partner says: I'll ask the workers to be quieter. Is there another problem? Your goal: The heating isn't working.
Reveal a sample reply
Il riscaldamento non funziona.
The heating isn't working.
Partner says: I'm sorry. I'll arrange for someone to look at it. Your goal: When can someone come to fix it?
Reveal a sample reply
Quando può venire qualcuno a ripararlo?
When can someone come to fix it?
Partner says: Tomorrow morning. If you plan to move out, let us know in advance. Your goal: How much notice do I need to give?
Reveal a sample reply
Con quanto anticipo devo avvisare?
How much notice do I need to give?
Make it your own
- Report a different broken item.
- Arrange a different repair time.
- Ask what the notice period covers.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking Italian
Use tu with friends and Lei with someone you address formally. A request with vorrei or potrebbe can soften the tone; it still helps to say what you need clearly. The examples label the situation so you can choose the appropriate relationship.
Read doubled consonants distinctly and keep the written accents. The English translation explains the intended message; Italian often chooses a different construction rather than matching each English word.
