Chinese for Apartment Viewings: Scheduling, Inspecting, and Negotiating

Before you can rent, you need to see the apartment. Key vocabulary: 看房 (kàn fáng) — view an apartment, 预约看房 (yù yuē kàn fáng) — schedule a viewing, 中介 (zhōng jiè) — real estate agent, 房东 (fáng dōng) — landlord, 租客 (zū kè) — tenant. Starting a conversation: 你好，我想看房 (nǐ hǎo, wǒ xiǎng kàn fáng) — Hello, I want to view an apartment. 我在网上看到这个房子 (wǒ zài wǎng shàng kàn dào zhè ge fáng zi) — I saw this apartment online.

Scheduling: 什么时候可以看房 (shén me shí hou kě yǐ kàn fáng) — When can I view it? 明天上午方便吗 (míng tiān shàng wǔ fāng biàn ma) — Is tomorrow morning convenient? 下午可以吗 (xià wǔ kě yǐ ma) — Is the afternoon okay? 周末方便吗 (zhōu mò fāng biàn ma) — Is the weekend convenient? 几点见面 (jǐ diǎn jiàn miàn) — What time should we meet? 在哪里见面 (zài nǎ lǐ jiàn miàn) — Where should we meet? 我到小区门口了 (wǒ dào xiǎo qū mén kǒu le) — I've arrived at the community gate.

Essential cost questions: 房租是多少 (fáng zū shì duō shǎo) — How much is the rent? 一个月多少钱 (yī gè yuè duō shǎo qián) — How much per month? 押金是多少 (yā jīn shì duō shǎo) — How much is the deposit? 押金什么时候退 (yā jīn shén me shí hou tuì) — When is the deposit returned? 押一付三 (yā yī fù sān) — one month deposit, three months rent upfront (the most common model in China). 押一付一 (yā yī fù yī) — one month deposit, one month rent (less common, more tenant-friendly).

What is included: 包括哪些费用 (bāo kuò nǎ xiē fèi yòng) — Which expenses are included? 水电费包括吗 (shuǐ diàn fèi bāo kuò ma) — Are water and electricity included? 物业费谁交 (wù yè fèi shéi jiāo) — Who pays the property management fee? 取暖费包括吗 (qǔ nuǎn fèi bāo kuò ma) — Is heating included? 宽带包括吗 (kuān dài bāo kuò ma) — Is broadband included? 维修费谁负责 (wéi xiū fèi shéi fù zé) — Who is responsible for repair costs? Usually the landlord pays for major repairs.

Room types and layout: 几室几厅 (jǐ shì jǐ tīng) — how many bedrooms and living rooms. For example, 两室一厅 (liǎng shì yī tīng) — two bedrooms, one living room. 一室一厅 (yī shì yī tīng) — one bedroom, one living room (studio-style). 面积多大 (miàn jī duō dà) — How big is the area? 多少平方米 (duō shǎo píng fāng mǐ) — How many square meters? 朝向 (cháo xiàng) — which direction the apartment faces. 朝南 (cháo nán) — south-facing (most desirable in China for sunlight and warmth), 朝北 (cháo běi) — north-facing, 朝东 (cháo dōng) — east-facing, 朝西 (cháo xī) — west-facing.

Floor and building: 楼层 (lóu céng) — floor number, 几楼 (jǐ lóu) — which floor? 有电梯吗 (yǒu diàn tī ma) — Is there an elevator? 高层 (gāo céng) — high floor, 低层 (dī céng) — low floor. 通风好吗 (tōng fēng hǎo ma) — Is the ventilation good? 采光好吗 (cǎi guāng hǎo ma) — Is the natural light good? Practical questions: 能养宠物吗 (néng yǎng chǒng wù ma) — Are pets allowed? 可以合租吗 (kě yǐ hé zū ma) — Is sharing allowed?

What to check inside: 装修怎么样 (zhuāng xiū zěn me yàng) — How is the renovation? 新装修 (xīn zhuāng xiū) — newly renovated, 旧装修 (jiù zhuāng xiū) — older renovation. 电器好用吗 (diàn qì hǎo yòng ma) — Do the appliances work? 空调能用吗 (kōng tiáo néng yòng ma) — Does the air conditioner work? 热水器能用吗 (rè shuǐ qì néng yòng ma) — Does the water heater work? 冰箱好吗 (bīng xiāng hǎo ma) — Is the fridge okay? 洗衣机呢 (xǐ yī jī ne) — What about the washing machine?

Potential problems to spot: 漏水 (lòu shuǐ) — water leak, 发霉 (fā méi) — mold, 墙上有裂缝 (qiáng shàng yǒu liè fèng) — there are cracks on the wall, 下水道堵了 (xià shuǐ dào dǔ le) — the drain is clogged. 隔音好吗 (gé yīn hǎo ma) — Is the soundproofing good? 周围安静吗 (zhōu wéi ān jìng ma) — Is the surrounding area quiet? 窗户有没有问题 (chuāng hu yǒu méi yǒu wèn tí) — Are there any issues with the windows? 门锁好吗 (mén suǒ hǎo ma) — Is the door lock good? 这个需要修 (zhè ge xū yào xiū) — This needs to be fixed.

Negotiation phrases: 能不能便宜一点 (néng bù néng pián yi yī diǎn) — Can it be a little cheaper? 这个价格有点高了 (zhè ge jià gé yǒu diǎn gāo le) — This price is a bit high. 我看到别的地方更便宜 (wǒ kàn dào bié de dì fang gèng pián yi) — I saw cheaper elsewhere. 如果降到XX我马上签 (rú guǒ jiàng dào XX wǒ mǎ shàng qiān) — If you lower it to XX I'll sign immediately. 长期租能便宜吗 (cháng qī zū néng pián yi ma) — Can I get a discount for a long-term lease?

Contract and payment: 合同怎么签 (hé tong zěn me qiān) — How do we sign the contract? 租期多长 (zū qī duō cháng) — How long is the lease term? 最短租期是多久 (zuì duǎn zū qī shì duō jiǔ) — What is the minimum lease term? 需要身份证吗 (xū yào shēn fèn zhèng ma) — Do you need my ID? 护照可以吗 (hù zhào kě yǐ ma) — Is a passport okay? 怎么付款 (zěn me fù kuǎn) — How do I pay? 每月付款还是每季度 (měi yuè fù kuǎn hái shì měi jì dù) — Monthly or quarterly payment? 什么时候可以搬进来 (shén me shí hou kě yǐ bān jìn lái) — When can I move in? 我需要考虑一下 (wǒ xū yào kǎo lǜ yī xià) — I need to think about it. 我再看看别的 (wǒ zài kàn kàn bié de) — I'll look at other options.