Where is Mr Garcia living? 【5】

Student: Hello. My name is Garcia. I phoned earlier about finding accommodation.
Saleswoman: Ah yes--Mr Garcia. I took your call. Please, take a seat. You said on the phone that you are studying at the university.
Student: That’s right. I’m currently in university digs, but I have decided to move out.
Saleswoman: May I ask why?
Student: Well, the accommodation itself is fine--very nice in fact--but it’s catered accommodation and I find having to have my meals at fixed times somewhat restrictive. I tried to get into self-catering accommodation, but there’s very little of that available and, as I will be a second year student next academic year, I wasn’t given a place.
Saleswoman: I see. We have many students coming to us who are in the same situation. Do you intend to live alone or share with someone?
Student: I have two friends, from Spain and from Columbia, who would like to share with me. We thought it would be a good idea to rent a small house together. Does that sound sensible to you?
Saleswoman: Sure. In fact, I recommend it. Where are you from, Mr Garcia?
Student: I’m from Mexico.
Saleswoman: Really? I went there on holiday last year. Lovely. So, you’re looking for a three-bedroom house. How about a flat? Would that be OK?
Student: Yes, that would be fine too, but if the rents are roughly the same, we’d prefer a house with a small garden--just some- where where we can sit outside in the sunshine.
Saleswoman: Of course. We do have houses, but more flats are available at the moment. Is there any particular area you’d like to live in?
Student: Obviously, we’d like to be close to the university if possible, but not too close. My experience is that people living in the proximity of the uni tend to get a lot of people dropping in. We’d like to avoid that.
Saleswoman: I understand. Places further from the uni are also a little cheaper, in general. Before we go on, could I take down a few details?
Student: Of course. My full name is Manuel Garcia. I currently live at 35c Campus Lane.
Saleswoman: Thank you. And your telephone number and email address?
Student: My mobile number is 0453 672 348. My email address is garciainuk@email.uk.
Saleswoman: How old are you and your future housemates?
Student: I’m 19. My friends are 19 and 20.
Saleswoman: And are you all male?
Student: Yes.
Saleswoman: Smokers?
Student: No.
Saleswoman: OK. How much would you be prepared to pay altogether?
Student: We heard that 200 to 250 pounds a month would be possible.
Saleswoman: Yes, that’s about right. Accommodation in this town is below the average for the country as a whole. I’d recommend some- thing closer to 250 pounds, since the lower-paid accommodation can be rather poor quality.
Student: Yes. It’s important to feel good in a home. We intend to move in at the beginning of July. We’ve all got placements over the summer holiday.
Saleswoman: That’s good. A lot of landlords will offer a small discount if they know that you’ll be there throughout the year. I think we’ll find something decent for around 230 pounds a month. I should point out that utilities are not included.
Student: I understand. We expected that. By the way, we understand that you will charge us a fee for arranging accommodation. Is that correct?
Saleswoman: Yes, it is. We charge you half a month’s rent and the land- lord half a month’s rent. That includes the cost of drawing up a rental agreement. All our landlords require a deposit of a month’s rent, payable with the first month’s rent upon signing the agreement.
Student: That’s fine.
Saleswoman: Now, I’ll just write down the kind of place you’re looking for. I don’t think that’ll be a problem. Do you have any other requirements?
Student: Er ... Let me think for a minute. Oh, of course--how could I forget! It must be furnished. We don’t mind buying kitchen utensils. A TV--yes, we’ll need that. We don’t need a video or DVD player. Oh, and a washing machine. That’s essential, as is an Internet connection. I presume all the accommodation you offer has a cooker?
Saleswoman: Yes. You don’t have to worry about that. Do you prefer a bath or a shower?
Student: We would prefer to have a shower, but we’re not fussy about that.
Saleswoman: Right then. I’ll send you details of three or four of the most suitable properties later today by email. Then you can let me know whether you’d like to See any of the properties or whether you’d prefer to see details of some others. Thank you for dropping by, Mr Garcia.