Culture(s) / Access to housing

A1 Breakthrough
Money, employment and identity documents: what are the conditions for finding housing?
In your country, in your culture, is it important to be domiciled at a fixed address? Is it easy to get housing? Are rent prices accessible? Do we live in the same house with many other people by choice, because of tradition or by necessity? Do we rather try to give each family member, even the children, their own personal space? Do we have to guarantee that we receive a regular salary?

It is becoming more and more difficult and time-consuming to find housing at reasonable prices because of the rising real estate prices. Without a home, it is difficult to have a job, a bank account, and you cannot receive mail.

Even if you have money to pay the rent, you have to prove that you have an indefinite employment contract, a guarantor or a high salary, and in any case, you have to have ID documents and documents confirming the residence permit.

Even if the candidates have a good salary, the owners may be suspicious and refuse to rent a three-bedroom apartment to a family with three children. It is becoming more and more common for every child, from the moment of birth, to sleep alone in his/her room, unlike in other countries such as Vietnam where children sleep with their parents until the age of 6.

Exiles who arrive in a country can find help through the institutions of the host country or through acquaintances. This allows them to find housing more quickly and possibly get rent assistance.

Practical exercises

Culture(s): Finding a place to live

A1
4 exercises
Listen • Intercultural (everyday life / accommodation)