How to Rent an Apartment in Chinese
HSK 3-4
Finding a place to live is one of the biggest conversations you'll have in Chinese, and agents (中介) talk fast. Knowing the key terms means you can ask the right questions and understand what you're agreeing to.
This page covers asking about rent, the common 押一付三 payment pattern, who pays utilities and property fees, contract length, the agent fee and arranging a viewing. There's a sample dialogue with an agent, too.
This is language practice, not legal or financial advice: always read the contract carefully, ideally with someone you trust. Then practice this conversation with an AI partner that corrects you before you call an agent.
Key phrases
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我想租一套一室一厅。 | Wǒ xiǎng zū yí tào yí shì yì tīng. | I'd like to rent a one-bedroom apartment. 一室一厅 means one bedroom and one living room. |
| 房租一个月多少？ | Fángzū yí ge yuè duōshao? | How much is the rent per month? |
| 是押一付三吗？ | Shì yā yī fù sān ma? | Is it one month's deposit and three months' rent up front? 押一付三 is a very common payment pattern. |
| 可以押一付一吗？ | Kěyǐ yā yī fù yī ma? | Could I pay a one-month deposit and rent monthly? |
| 水电费怎么算？ | Shuǐdiànfèi zěnme suàn? | How are water and electricity charged? |
| 物业费包含在房租里吗？ | Wùyèfèi bāohán zài fángzū lǐ ma? | Is the property management fee included in the rent? |
| 网费呢？ | Wǎngfèi ne? | What about internet? |
| 合同签多久？ | Hétong qiān duō jiǔ? | How long is the contract? |
| 最少签一年吗？ | Zuìshǎo qiān yì nián ma? | Is the minimum one year? |
| 中介费怎么收？ | Zhōngjièfèi zěnme shōu? | How is the agent fee charged? |
| 我什么时候可以看房？ | Wǒ shénme shíhou kěyǐ kàn fáng? | When can I view the apartment? |
| 家具家电都有吗？ | Jiājù jiādiàn dōu yǒu ma? | Does it come with furniture and appliances? |
| 可以养宠物吗？ | Kěyǐ yǎng chǒngwù ma? | Are pets allowed? |
| 离地铁站多远？ | Lí dìtiě zhàn duō yuǎn? | How far is it from the metro station? |
| 押金什么时候退？ | Yājīn shénme shíhou tuì? | When is the deposit returned? |
| 我能直接跟房东谈吗？ | Wǒ néng zhíjiē gēn fángdōng tán ma? | Can I talk to the landlord directly? 房东 is the landlord. |
Sample dialogue
You: 你好，我想看一下那套一室一厅。房租一个月多少？
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng kàn yíxià nà tào yí shì yì tīng. Fángzū yí ge yuè duōshao?
Hi, I'd like to see that one-bedroom apartment. How much is the rent per month?
Agent: 就是网上写的价格，押一付三。
Jiù shì wǎngshang xiě de jiàgé, yā yī fù sān.
It's the price listed online, with one month's deposit and three months up front.
You: 可以押一付一吗？
Kěyǐ yā yī fù yī ma?
Could I pay monthly instead?
Agent: 这个得问问房东，一般都是押一付三。
Zhège děi wènwen fángdōng, yìbān dōu shì yā yī fù sān.
I'll have to ask the landlord. It's usually three months up front.
You: 水电费和物业费怎么算？
Shuǐdiànfèi hé wùyèfèi zěnme suàn?
How do water, electricity and property fees work?
Agent: 水电按表自己交，物业费房东出。
Shuǐdiàn àn biǎo zìjǐ jiāo, wùyèfèi fángdōng chū.
You pay water and electricity by the meter. The landlord covers the property fee.
You: 合同最少签多久？
Hétong zuìshǎo qiān duō jiǔ?
What's the minimum contract length?
Agent: 最少一年。
Zuìshǎo yì nián.
One year minimum.
You: 中介费怎么收？
Zhōngjièfèi zěnme shōu?
How does the agent fee work?
Agent: 签合同的时候付，具体的我发给你。
Qiān hétong de shíhou fù, jùtǐ de wǒ fā gěi nǐ.
You pay it when you sign. I'll send you the details.
You: 好，今天下午能去看房吗？
Hǎo, jīntiān xiàwǔ néng qù kàn fáng ma?
OK. Could I see it this afternoon?
Agent: 可以，三点在小区门口见。
Kěyǐ, sān diǎn zài xiǎoqū ménkǒu jiàn.
Sure, let's meet at the gate of the residential complex at three.
Tips
- Ask exactly what is included in the rent: 水电 (water and electricity), 燃气 (gas), 网费 (internet) and 物业费 (property fee) are often handled differently.
- Ask the agent to put the fee and payment terms in writing before you sign anything.
- During a viewing, check water pressure, heating or air conditioning, and that appliances work. It's easier to ask for repairs before you move in.
- Take photos of the apartment's condition on move-in day. It helps when you discuss the deposit later.
- This page is language practice, not legal or financial advice. Have someone you trust read the contract with you.
Common mistakes
✗ 我想借一个公寓。
✓ 我想租一套房子。
借 means 'borrow'. 'Rent' is 租, and apartments take the measure word 套.
✗ 房子的钱一个月多少？
✓ 房租一个月多少？
There's a specific word for rent: 房租.
✗ 押金你会还给我吗？
✓ 押金什么时候退？
退 is the usual verb for returning a deposit, and asking 'when' sounds more natural than 'will you'.
FAQ
What does 押一付三 mean?
押一付三 (yā yī fù sān) means you pay one month's rent as a deposit plus three months' rent in advance, then rent every three months after that.
What is 中介费?
中介费 (zhōngjièfèi) is the fee charged by a rental agent. How much it is and who pays it varies, so ask the agent to confirm it in writing.
How do I say 'view the apartment' in Chinese?
Say 看房 (kàn fáng). For example: 我什么时候可以看房？ means 'When can I view the apartment?'
Practice this with an AI partner