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A Guide to Renting Shared Accommodation Reading Answers

Bhaskar Das

Sep 15, 2025

A Guide to Renting Shared Accommodation Reading Answers contain 7 questions and belong to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. A Guide to Renting Shared Accommodation Reading Answers must be answered within 10 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, question types include: Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.

A Guide to Renting Shared Accommodation Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of renting shared accommodation, which involves signing a tenancy agreement, paying a protected deposit, agreeing on bill sharing, inspecting furnishings, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring the landlord holds any required HMO licence. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Renting shared accommodation is a popular option for students, young professionals, and newcomers to expensive cities. Sharing a house or flat can significantly reduce living costs while offering a chance to socialise and build friendships.

Before moving in, ensure you sign a tenancy agreement. This document outlines your rights and responsibilities and includes important information such as rent amount, payment dates, deposit requirements, and rules on notice periods. Never move into a shared property without reading and signing this contract.

You’ll usually pay a security deposit equivalent to 4 or 5 weeks’ rent. By law, this must be protected in a government-approved deposit protection scheme. This ensures you’ll get the deposit back if the property is left in good condition at the end of the tenancy.

In most shared houses, the rent does not cover utility bills, which means tenants must split the cost of electricity, gas, water, and internet. It’s a good idea to agree in advance how these bills will be divided and paid.

If you’re renting a room in a furnished house, make sure to inspect items like beds, chairs, and kitchen appliances. Any damage should be reported and documented at the start to avoid being blamed later.

Tenants are expected to keep common areas clean and respect one another’s privacy. Loud noise late at night, failure to wash up, or inviting guests without consent can lead to disputes.

It’s also important to check if the landlord has a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence, which is required if five or more people share a property. This ensures that the home meets safety and space standards.

Questions 21-27

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.

21. Always sign a …………………… before moving into a shared house.

Answer: tenancy agreement

Supporting statement: "Before moving in, ensure you sign a tenancy agreement."

Keywords: tenancy agreement, moving in, shared house

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 1

Explanation: The passage clearly states that tenants should sign a tenancy agreement before moving into shared housing. This contract defines rights, responsibilities, and other rental details.

22. Your deposit must be protected in a …………………

Answer: deposit protection scheme

Supporting statement: "By law, this must be protected in a government-approved deposit protection scheme."

Keywords: deposit protection, government-approved, law

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, line 2

Explanation: The law requires deposits to be kept in a deposit protection scheme to guarantee fair return.

23. Utility bills are usually does not cover in ……………………

Answer: the rent

Supporting statement: "In most shared houses, the rent does not cover utility bills..."

Keywords: rent, does not cover, utility bills

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 1

Explanation: The text explains that rent payments usually exclude utility bills, which means tenants must pay for them separately.

24. Housemates should agree in advance on how these bills will be ………………….

Answer: divided and paid

Supporting statement: "It’s a good idea to agree in advance how these bills will be divided and paid."

Keywords: bills, divided, paid, agree in advance

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 2

Explanation: Housemates are advised to decide beforehand how to share and pay for utility bills to avoid misunderstandings.

25. Tenants must keep the ………………. Tidy.

Answer: common areas

Supporting statement: "Tenants are expected to keep common areas clean..."

Keywords: common areas, clean, tenants

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, line 1

Explanation: Shared living spaces must be maintained by all tenants to ensure cleanliness and harmony in the house.

26. Disputes may arise if you invite …………………. without permission.

Answer: guests

Supporting statement: "...inviting guests without consent can lead to disputes."

Keywords: guests, consent, disputes

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, line 2

Explanation: Bringing guests without prior permission is highlighted as one of the causes of disagreements between tenants.

27. An HMO licence is needed when the home is shared by …………………

Answer: five or more

Supporting statement: "...required if five or more people share a property."

Keywords: five or more, HMO licence, share property

Keyword Location: Paragraph 7, line 2

Explanation: An HMO licence is necessary when five or more tenants share a home.

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*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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