DGE – writing a formal letter – assignment practice – (1a) a letter of enquiry

Dear Mr Kwok,

I have seen your recent advertisement on the Hong Kong Flat Share website and I am interested in renting your flat in Queen’s Road Central during July.
There are a number of questions I would like to ask. According to your advertisement, the flat is available from 3 July until 25 August. I will need accommodation from 7 July until 31 July inclusive and would like to know if these dates are possible. I can be a little flexible but I must arrive in Hong Kong before 9 July at the latest and I will need to leave between 28 July and 2 August.
You say the flat is fully furnished and has all mod-cons. Perhaps you could let me know what appliances there are–washing machine, air conditioning and so on - and whether there would be a broadband connection available for me to use.
During my stay I will be attending a conference at the Hong Kong University campus in Pok Fu Lam, and I am wondering whether it will be easy to get to the university from your flat and how long the journey would take.
Finally, you do not say whether the rent is inclusive of bills. If not, could you tell me how the bills are to be calculated and give me some idea of the likely cost?
I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Angela Simmons

DGE – writing a formal letter – assignment practice – (1b) reply

Dear Ms Simmons,

Thank you for your letter enquiring about the flat in Queen’s Road Central. It will be available from 5th July until the end of the month. Another tenant will be moving in on 2 August, so it is important that it is vacated by 31st July to allow for cleaning. 
As for appliances, there are air-conditioning units in the sitting room and both bedrooms. There is a large fridge, gas cooking rings, a modern automatic washing machine with tumble-drier, and a telephone. There is also a television with DVD player but there is no computer. However, there is a broadband connection and if you have your own laptop, you can make use of this. I can give you the login details when you arrive.
The Hong Kong University campus is around three kilometers from Central and can easily be reached by bus, minibus or taxi. In the evening and at quieter times of the day, the journey should take around 20 minutes by bus; allow a little longer at rush hour. Buses and minibuses are frequent and you should not have to wait more than a few minutes.
The rent is inclusive of electricity, gas, broadband connection charges, and phone line rental. The phone is not set up for international dialing but local calls are free in Hong Kong. A deposit of one month’s rent is payable to cover damage to furnishings and appliances.
If you decide to rent the flat, I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing with a cheque for the deposit by the end of next week (12th April).  Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.
Kind regards,

Ethelred Kwok

A deposit of one month’s rent is payable to cover damage to furnishings and appliances.	
Another tenant will be moving in on 2 August, so it is important that it is vacated by 31st July to allow for cleaning. 	
As for appliances, there are air-conditioning units in the sitting room and both bedrooms. 	
Buses and minibuses are frequent and you should not have to wait more than a few minutes.	
Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any further questions.	
However, there is a broadband connection and if you have your own laptop, you can make use of this. 	
I can give you the login details when you arrive.	
If you decide to rent the flat, I would be grateful if you could confirm in writing with a cheque for the deposit by the end of next week ( 12th April). 	
In the evening and at quieter times of the day, the journey should take around 20 minutes by bus; allow a little longer at rush hour. 	
 It will be available from 5th July until the end of the month. 	
Thank you for your letter enquiring about the flat in Queen’s Road Central.	
The Hong Kong University campus is around three kilometers from Central and can easily be reached by bus, minibus or taxi. 	
The phone is not set up for international dialing but local calls are free in Hong Kong. 	
The rent is inclusive of electricity, gas, broadband connection charges, and phone line rental. 	
There is a large fridge, gas cooking rings, a modern automatic washing machine with tumble-drier, and a telephone. 	
There is also a television with DVD player but there is no computer.