Why do housing prices rise so fast?

Answer each question with 2–3 sentences.

1. Do you own your home or rent it?
2. Is it easy for young people to buy a home in your country?
3. Which city do you think is the most expensive?
4. Would you share a flat to save money?
5. How much of your income goes on housing?
6. What does a good home need?

Read each word and the example. Then say a sentence about housing.

Choose the word that fits.

1. A loan taken out to buy a home is a .
2. The person who owns a property and rents it out is a .
3. A person who pays rent to live in a property is a .
4. A lack of homes compared with the number of people who want them is a housing .
5. Housing is when ordinary families can pay for it.
6. Buying property only to sell it later at a profit is called .
7. When wealthier people move in and prices rise, the process is known as .
8. A landlord may not a tenant without proper notice.

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

1. a mortgage is a
   gifttaxloan
2. a landlord is a person who
   rents a propertybuilds a propertyrents out a property
3. a shortage is a
   surplusplanlack
4. affordable = not too
   oldexpensivecheap
5. to evict = to force someone to
   leavepaystay
6. gentrification = wealthier people
   moving invotingleaving

Use these phrases to set conditions and make proposals.

• Prices will fall provided that...Ціни знизяться за умови, що...Prices will fall provided that supply increases.
• Unless...,Якщо не...,Unless councils build more, prices will keep rising.
• As long as demand exceeds supply,...Доки попит перевищує пропозицію,...As long as demand exceeds supply, prices will rise.
• On condition that...За умови, що...You can rent the flat on condition that you pay a deposit.
• Supposing prices doubled,...Припустімо, ціни зросли вдвічі,...Supposing prices doubled, who could afford to buy?
• But for the subsidy,...Якби не субсидія,...But for the subsidy, many families would have lost their homes.
• ..., otherwise,......, інакше...Wages must rise; otherwise, people cannot afford rent.
• Save money in case...Заощаджуйте на випадок, якщо...Save money in case rates rise.

Read the text. Hover over the dotted words for help.

1. The text says that housing prices have risen more slowly than wages.
   TrueFalse
2. A shortage of homes is named as one cause of rising prices.
   TrueFalse
3. Vienna is often cited as an example of affordable social housing.
   TrueFalse
4. The text says that one measure will solve the problem alone.
   TrueFalse
5. The text mentions speculation as one cause.
   TrueFalse

1. Is housing a right or a market good?
2. Should foreign investors be allowed to buy homes?
3. Should rents be controlled?
4. What would help young people most?

Common mistakes: after unless, as long as, provided that use the present tense for the future, and do not use if together with unless. Use in case for a precaution and but for + noun for an unreal past or present condition. ✗ Unless councils will build → Unless councils build. ✗ As long as demand will exceed supply → exceeds. ✗ if case prices rise → in case prices rise. ✗ But the subsidy → But for the subsidy.

1. Prices will fall
   providedprovided that
   supply increases.
2. UnlessIf not
   councils build more, prices will keep rising.
3. You can rent the flat
   on conditionon condition that
   you pay a deposit.
4. Suppose toSupposing
   prices doubled, who could afford to buy?
5. Save money
   if casein case
   prices rise.
6. ButBut for
   the subsidy, many families would have been homeless.
7. As long as demand
   exceedswill exceed
   supply, prices will rise.
8. Wages must rise;
   otherotherwise,
   people cannot afford rent.

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

1. Unless councils will build more, prices will rise. →
2. As long as demand will exceed supply, prices will rise. →
3. Prices will fall provided that supply will increase. →
4. Save money if case prices rise. →
5. But the subsidy, many families would be homeless. →
6. You can rent it on condition you to pay a deposit. →

Answer in detail. Use conditional alternatives and the grammar of Block 4.

1. Prices will fall provided that what happens?
2. Unless the government acts, what might happen to rents?
3. Under what conditions would you buy a home?
4. Supposing you could change one rule, which would it be?
5. What would young people do but for family help?
6. What would you save money for, in case things go wrong?

Three people discuss housing. Compare them. Who blames investors? Who blames planning rules? Whose view is closest to yours?

Your teacher will time you.

1. Plan for one minute, then speak for one or two minutes.
2. Part 1: describe the housing situation in your country or city.
3. Part 2: explain two causes and propose a solution (use unless, provided that and as long as).
4. Part 3: say what you would do as mayor, on condition that you had the money.

1. Do you plan to buy a home?
2. How would you describe your dream home?
3. Would you live in a small flat to save money?
4. Have you ever moved because of rent?
5. Would you rent out a room?
6. Do you prefer a city or the countryside?
7. Do you know how mortgages work?
8. What matters most to you when you choose a home?

1. Who in your family owns property?
2. Who helped you find your first home?
3. Who in your life struggles to pay rent?
4. Who should build affordable housing?
5. Who benefits most when prices rise?
6. Who would you trust as a landlord?

1. Is owning a home important?
2. Should governments control rents?
3. Should empty homes be taxed?
4. Is social housing a good idea?
5. Are investors to blame for high prices?