How Much Is Rent? 租房英语：从看房到签约
留学生和海外工作的人，第一个要过的语言关不是课堂英语，是租房英语。看房时听不懂房东说什么，签合同时漏掉关键条款，报修时描述不清问题——每一步都可能踩坑。搭配I was wondering if 句型，让你的租房沟通更自然。
找房阶段：第一轮联系
Hi, I'm interested in the apartment listed on Zillow. Is it still available? / I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about the place — what's the neighborhood like? / When would be a good time to schedule a viewing?
你好，我对 Zillow 上挂的那套公寓感兴趣，还在租吗？/ 想了解一下这个房子的更多信息——周边环境怎么样？/ 什么时候方便约看房？
租房核心词汇
| 中文 | 英文 | 说明 |
|---|---|---|
| 押金 | security deposit | 通常等于一个月租金 |
| 水电煤气 | utilities | 水电气总称 |
| 包含水电 | utilities included | 房租含水电 |
| 租约 | lease | 有法律效力的租房合同 |
| 房东 | landlord / landlady | 男/女房东 |
| 室友 | roommate / flatmate | flatmate 更偏英式 |
| 带/不带家具 | furnished / unfurnished | 看房必问 |
| 提前解约 | break the lease | 中途退租 |
| 转租 | sublet | 把房子转租给别人 |
| 物业费 | HOA fee (美) / service charge (英) | 公寓楼的额外费用 |
看房时必问的10个问题
拿着这个清单去看房，一个关键问题都不会漏：
1. Are utilities included, or are they separate? / 2. How much is the security deposit, and when is it due? / 3. What's the lease term — is it month-to-month or a fixed year? / 4. Is there a penalty for breaking the lease early? / 5. Are pets allowed? Is there a pet deposit? / 6. How's the water pressure? Can I test the shower? / 7. What's the heating / AC situation? / 8. How do you handle repairs? Is there a maintenance number? / 9. Is there laundry in the building? / 10. How's the noise level — can you hear the neighbors?
1. 水电含不含？2. 押金多少、什么时候交？3. 租期是月付还是年签？4. 提前解约有罚款吗？5. 能养宠物吗？有宠物押金吗？6. 水压怎么样？能试淋浴吗？7. 暖气和空调怎么配置？8. 维修怎么报？有维修电话吗？9. 楼里有洗衣房吗？10. 隔音怎么样——能听到邻居噪音吗？
实战对话：看房
你：Hi, thanks for showing me the place. It looks great in the photos, but I had a few questions.
房东：Of course, ask away.
你：First — does the rent include any utilities? Water, gas, internet?
房东：Water and trash are included. Electricity and internet are separate. Usually they run about $80 to $120 a month combined.
你：Got it. And what about the lease — is it a one-year minimum?
房东：Yes, it's a 12-month lease. After that it goes month-to-month automatically.
你：One more — how do you handle maintenance? If the sink leaks or the heater breaks down, who do I call?
房东：You can text me directly for anything urgent. For non-urgent stuff, just submit a request through the tenant portal and my handyman usually comes within 48 hours.
签合同要看的关键条款
Make sure you understand: the move-in date and lease end date / how much notice you need to give before moving out (usually 30 or 60 days) / what happens if you need to break the lease / the late fee policy if rent is overdue / whether subletting is allowed
一定看清楚：入住日期和租约到期日 / 退租需要提前多久通知（一般是30或60天）/ 提前解约的违约责任 / 租金逾期交多少滞纳金 / 能不能转租
报修：东西坏了怎么说
Hi, the sink in the kitchen is leaking. Could you send someone to take a look? / The heater isn't working — it's been blowing cold air since last night. Is there an emergency maintenance number? / The toilet keeps running after you flush it. Not an emergency, but I wanted to let you know.
厨房水槽漏水，能派人来看一下吗？/ 暖气不制热了——从昨晚开始一直吹冷风。有紧急维修电话吗？/ 马桶冲完后一直流水。不是什么急事，就跟你知会一声。