For upper-intermediate learners: precise vocabulary for housing types, property agreements, renovation, and neighbourhood contexts.
Free Home & Daily Life vocabulary flashcards at the B2 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and recognize and use these words confidently in real conversations.
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suburb
a residential area on the outer edge of a city, away from the centre.
amenity
a useful or convenient feature of a place, such as a gym, park, or transport link.
detached
relating to a house that stands on its own and shares no walls with another building.
lease
a legal agreement allowing someone to use a property for a fixed period in exchange for payment.
renovation
the process of repairing and improving an old or damaged building.
contemporary
relating to a style that is modern and reflects current trends in design or layout.
minimalist
relating to a style that uses very few objects and simple design to create a calm, uncluttered space.
insulation
material added to walls, roofs, or floors to reduce the transfer of heat or sound.
plumbing
the system of pipes and fixtures that carry water through a building.
conveyancing
the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another.
survey
a professional inspection of a building's structure and condition before purchase.
equity
the value of a property minus any outstanding mortgage or debts secured against it.
void
a period when a rented property is empty and generating no rental income.
semi-detached
relating to a house that is joined to one other house by a shared wall.
terrace
a row of houses joined together in a line, each sharing walls with the houses beside it.
open-plan
relating to a layout where the kitchen, dining, and living areas share one large space without dividing walls.
declutter
to remove objects you no longer need from your home to create more space and order.
ventilation
the process of allowing fresh air to circulate in and out of a room or building.
damp-proof
relating to a treatment or layer that prevents moisture from entering walls or floors.
subsidence
the gradual sinking or collapse of the ground beneath a building, causing structural damage.
outgoings
regular money spent on running a home, such as rent, bills, and maintenance costs.
freehold
a type of property ownership where you own the building and the land it stands on permanently.
leasehold
a type of property ownership where you own the building for a fixed number of years but not the land.
habitable
relating to a space that is safe, clean, and suitable to live in.
downsize
to move to a smaller home, typically to reduce costs or maintenance.
clutter
an untidy collection of objects that fill a space and make it hard to use.
floor plan
a diagram showing the layout of rooms and spaces in a building, viewed from above.
bay window
a window that projects outward from the main wall of a building, creating extra space inside.
grout
a thick paste pushed between tiles to fill the gaps and hold them in place.
mildew
a type of fungus that grows as a grey or white coating on surfaces in damp conditions.
loft conversion
the process of turning an attic space into a usable room such as a bedroom or office.
condensation
water that forms on a cold surface when warm moist air touches it.
draught excluder
a strip or pad placed at the bottom of a door or window to block cold air from entering.
service charge
a regular payment made by flat owners or tenants to cover the cost of maintaining shared areas of a building.
gut
to remove all the internal fittings and walls from a building before renovating it completely.