NAATI CCL Mandarin Housing & Accommodation Practice Dialogues — Worked Examples

Let me explain the rental application process. Is this your first time renting in Australia?

是。刚来一个月不了解租房流程。需要什么？

For the application you'll need identification, proof of income such as a bank statement, and previous rental history. If you don't have rental history, a character reference will do.

没有租房记录。会不利吗？

You can still apply without rental history. To demonstrate reliability, you can offer a reference from your employer, additional bank statements, or an extra two to four weeks' bond on top of the standard amount.

押金是什么？要多少？

The bond is usually four weeks' rent, held by a state government authority. It's returned in full when you move out if there's no damage. The landlord cannot hold it personally.

入住前要确认什么？

Completing a condition report at move-in is crucial. Document all existing damage with photos. This directly affects your bond refund. Submit it to the agent within three business days.

付不起房租怎么办？

Contact the agent and explain the situation. You can often negotiate a payment plan. You won't be evicted immediately if you're less than fourteen days behind. Free tenancy advice is also available.

都明白了。想预约看房。

This is a dispute about a bond refund. What happened?

住了两年的公寓退房了。房东要从一千五百的押金里扣八百。说是地毯清洁和墙壁重涂的费用。

There's a distinction between normal wear and tear and tenant damage. Carpet wear and faded paint from two years of use are not the tenant's responsibility. This is 'fair wear and tear.'

有入住时的状况报告吗？

Yes, I have photos from both move-in and move-out. The carpet already had stains and the walls had marks when I moved in.

很好的证据。先书面向房东说明是合理磨损要求全额退还。十四天无回应可以向租赁法庭申诉。

How much does the tribunal cost?

申请费通常五十澳元左右。胜诉可以向房东索要。不需要律师可以自己办。通常四到六周内审理。

The landlord is demanding a receipt for professional carpet cleaning. Is that required?

查看租约。如果退房条件里有专业清洁就需要。但很多州这条法律上无效。建议咨询租房热线确认。

Can I have the number for the tenancy advice line?

各州不同但这份宣传册上有联系方式。免费的也有翻译服务。先发书面通知再走法庭程序。

You've come to discuss a rent increase. How much has it gone up?

通知从每周四百五十涨到五百五十。一次涨一百太多了。付不起。

There are rules around rent increases. First, sixty days' written notice is required. When did you receive the notice?

三周前。写下月开始。

Since the sixty-day notice period hasn't been met, the increase is invalid. Legally, you have the right to continue paying the current rent until a new, proper notice is issued.

就算通知正确一百的涨幅不过分吗？能申诉吗？

Yes, you can challenge an 'excessive' increase at the tribunal. They consider area market rents, property condition, and improvements. Research comparable rents nearby and submit that as evidence.

拒绝涨价会被赶走吗？

Issuing an eviction notice because a tenant challenges a rent increase is retaliation and it's illegal. As long as you continue paying the current rent during the tribunal process, you're protected.

我联系租房咨询发书面回复。

Good decision. In the letter, make clear that the notice period was insufficient and that the increase is excessive compared to the market. Keep it factual and avoid being emotional.

谢谢。知道自己的权利安心多了。

You've come to ask about applying for public housing. Can you tell me about your current living situation?

带三个孩子借住朋友家。睡客厅。没钱找房。

Your case may qualify as priority. People who are homeless or at risk receive the highest priority. To apply, you'll need proof of income, identification, and evidence of your housing situation.

要等多久？

To be honest, the general waiting time can be several years. However, if you're in a priority category, it could be a matter of months. While you're waiting, you can receive private rent assistance.

租房补贴多少？

It depends on your family size and rent, but with three children you could receive up to around two hundred dollars per fortnight. It's added to your Centrelink payment.

社区住房是什么？和公共住房不一样吗？

Community housing is affordable rental housing run by not-for-profit organisations. Like public housing, the rent is based on your income. The waiting time may be shorter. I'd recommend applying for both at the same time.

今天能申请吗？

Yes, we can fill in the application today. If you have your ID and proof of income, we can start now. Let's also apply for emergency housing support.

谢谢。想给孩子们一个稳定的住所。

You have a complaint about noise from a neighbour. What's the problem?

楼上住户每天晚上放很大声的音乐。有时到凌晨一两点。说了很多次没改善。孩子睡不好工作也受影响。

If direct communication hasn't worked, start keeping a noise diary. Record the date, time, type of noise, and duration. This becomes evidence for later proceedings.

可以报警吗？

Noise after ten at night breaches council regulations. You can call police. Also submit a written complaint to the property manager or landlord. If it's a strata building, report to the strata manager too.

物业不管怎么办？

You can lodge a formal noise complaint with the local council. A council officer can measure the noise levels and issue a noise abatement order. Breaching the order results in fines.

噪音问题严重想搬走能提前解约吗？

If the landlord can't guarantee your 'right to quiet enjoyment,' you can apply to the tribunal for early lease termination. The noise diary and complaints are crucial evidence. If approved, no break fee.

先记噪音日记再书面发给物业。

You can also use a smartphone app to measure and record noise levels. Audio recordings during the noisy periods are also valid evidence. Collect about two weeks' worth of records before lodging a formal complaint.

今晚开始记录。谢谢。

You've called about an urgent repair. Please describe the problem.

热水器完全不工作了。两天没有热水。有小孩想尽快修好。

A hot water system failure qualifies as an urgent repair. By law, the landlord is required to respond to urgent repairs within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Have you already contacted the property manager?

昨天发了邮件没回。电话也不接。

If an urgent repair isn't addressed, the tenant can arrange it themselves and deduct the cost from rent. But you must first give written notice and allow a reasonable response time. Rules vary by state.

我可以自己叫修理工吗？

In an emergency, yes. But first send a final written notice requesting immediate response. If they don't respond, arrange the repair yourself and keep the receipt. The cost limit is about one thousand dollars.

修理期间的住宿费能报销吗？

If the property is uninhabitable, you can apply for a rent reduction. Additional costs like alternative accommodation can be claimed through the tenancy tribunal if the landlord's negligence caused the problem. Keep all your receipts.

还有哪些算紧急维修？

Gas leaks, flooding, electrical faults, heating failures in winter, broken locks, blocked sewage, and structural damage that poses a safety risk. All of these require a response within twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

现在发书面通知明天没回应就自己安排。

Welcome to the quarterly strata meeting. We have several items on the agenda. The first is a special levy for roof repairs.

特别征收多少？正常的物业费已经很高了。

It's calculated based on each unit's lot entitlement and averages around three thousand dollars. It can be paid in three instalments. The roof repair is a safety issue and can't be delayed.

付不起怎么办？

If you're having difficulty, you can apply for a payment plan. However, if non-payment continues, the strata corporation has the right to take legal action, and ultimately a lien may be registered against your property.

下一个议题是什么？

Installation of security cameras in common areas. There have been several reports of trespass recently. The cost comes from the regular strata fund, so no additional levy is needed.

隐私问题呢？不想摄像头拍到我家门口。

Cameras will only cover common areas — entrance, car park, corridors. Not individual front doors. They comply with privacy law and footage is only accessible to the property manager.

需要投票吗？

Yes, both the special levy and the camera installation require a majority vote of those present. Proxy voting is available. Owners who couldn't attend today have already submitted their proxy forms.

我两项都赞成。为了安全是必要的投资。