Words (Core Vocabulary)
- repair / maintenance / work order / service ticket
- urgent / emergency vs. routine / non-urgent
- leak / drip / flood / clogged drain / water shut-off
- no heat / no hot water / low pressure
- appliance (fridge, stove, oven, dishwasher, washer, dryer)
- outlet / breaker / tripped fuse
- mould/mildew / damp / condensation
- pest (ants, mice, bedbugs) / exterminator
- door latch / lock / key fob / intercom
- smoke detector / CO (carbon monoxide) detector
- access window / entry notice / permission to enter
- temporary fix / replacement / warranty / contractor
Phrases (Report → schedule → confirm)
Reporting a problem (clear + specific)
- There’s a leak under the kitchen sink—water is pooling in the cabinet.
- The baseboard heater in the bedroom isn’t working.
- The bathroom fan is very loud and rattling.
Setting priority & access
- This is urgent (water leak/heat outage).
Please advise on the earliest available time. - You have permission to enter between 9–12 tomorrow with notice.
- Could we schedule a technician for Friday afternoon?
Following up & documenting
- I’ve attached photos and a short video of the issue.
- Could you share the work order number and ETA?
- Thanks for the repair—could you confirm what was replaced?
Contextual Examples (Natural, everyday)
- Email/portal: Hi, there’s a leak beneath the bathroom sink—I’ve attached photos. This feels urgent because the cabinet is getting wet.
- Scheduling: You have permission to enter 10–2 on Thursday. Please text before arriving.
- Follow-up: Thanks—could you send the work order details and let me know if further access is needed?
Collocations & Phrases (bold the key words)
Reporting
- submit a work order
- open a ticket
- attach photos/video
- describe the issue
- state the severity
Scheduling
- request an ETA
- provide permission to enter
- confirm the access window
- book a technician
- reschedule an appointment
Resolution
- replace a part
- fix a leak
- unclog a drain
- restore heat/hot water
- close the ticket
Canadian Cultural Context (How to sound natural & polite)
- Emergency issues (active leak, no heat in winter, gas smell) should be reported immediately via the emergency line if provided.
- Landlords/management usually give entry notice before coming in—confirm you’re okay with the time window.
- Photos/videos help speed decisions; keep messages polite and factual.
Extra Mini-Patterns (plug-and-play)
- Urgent report: “There’s an active leak in the kitchen—please treat as urgent. You have permission to enter 9–12 tomorrow.”
- Routine request: “The fridge door seal is loose—could we schedule a time next week?”
- After repair: “Thanks for resolving the issue—could you confirm what was replaced?”