New here? This is lesson 134 of a free 240-lesson English course.
Rent and bills in English
Ana needs to pay rent on Larch Street. Mr. Kowalski lives on the first floor. He is brief. He does not chat.
She asks when rent is due, who gets the money, and how to pay. In the US, people often pay rent by check.
By the end, you'll ask about the due date, the bills, a late fee, and a rent receipt.
A check is a paper you write to tell your bank to pay someone.
By the end of this lesson
Ask about the rent date, the bills, and how to pay.
- When is the rent due?On which day must I pay for the apartment?
- Can I pay by ___?Ask if this way of paying is okay.
- How do I pay the electric bill?What is the way to pay for power?
- Who do I pay the rent to?Which person should get the rent money?
- Is there a late fee?Do I pay extra if the rent is late?
- Can I get a rent receipt?Please give me paper that shows I paid rent.
Scene — on the porch
Ana stands on the porch of the brick three-flat. Mr. Kowalski is already there with a ring of keys. He does not look ready to chat.
A snow shovel leans by the door. The second-floor window is Ana's. She has her questions ready about rent and bills.
Learn — rent, bills, and how to pay
Six short lines help you ask about rent, bills, and how to pay.
You will also ask about a late fee and a rent receipt.
When is the rent due?
On which day must I pay for the apartment?
When to use it: Ask your landlord this when you need the due day.
Due means the day you must pay.
Can I pay by ___?
Ask if this way of paying is okay.
When to use it: Ask this to check a way of paying, like check.
Put a way to pay in the blank, like check.
How do I pay the electric bill?
What is the way to pay for power?
When to use it: Ask this when you need the way to pay for power.
An electric bill says how much you owe for electricity.
Say it: The stress is on the second part.
Who do I pay the rent to?
Which person should get the rent money?
When to use it: Ask this when you do not know who gets the rent.
The to at the end is part of this question.
Say it: The last to sounds like tuh.
Is there a late fee?
Do I pay extra if the rent is late?
When to use it: Ask this if you may miss the due day.
A late fee is extra money after the due day.
Can I get a rent receipt?
Please give me paper that shows I paid rent.
When to use it: Ask this after you pay, so you have paper.
A receipt is paper that shows you paid.
Say it: The stress is on the second part.
Story — he does not chat
Watch Ana on the porch with Mr. Kowalski. He answers in short lines and does not chat.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Ana is on the porch of the three-flat. Mr. Kowalski holds a ring of keys.
AnaExcuse me.you say this to get someone's attention
Mr. KowalskiYes, Miss.He is ready to listen.- AnaWhen is the rent due?On which day must I pay for the apartment?
- Mr. KowalskiThe first of the month.Pay on day one of each month.
- AnaCan I pay by check?Ask if this way of paying is okay.
- Mr. KowalskiYes. Put the check in the mailbox.Yes. Leave the bank paper in the mailbox.
- Mr. Kowalski does not smile. He waits for the next question.
- AnaWho do I pay the rent to?Which person should get the rent money?
- Mr. KowalskiTo me.He is the person who gets the rent.
- AnaHow do I pay the electric bill?What is the way to pay for power?
- Mr. KowalskiYou can pay the power company online.Use the internet to pay the power company.
- AnaIs there a late fee?Do I pay extra if the rent is late?
- Mr. KowalskiYes. After the fifth.You pay extra if rent is late after day five.
- AnaCan I get a rent receipt?Please give me paper that shows I paid rent.
- Mr. KowalskiI'll leave it in the mailbox.He will put the paper in the mailbox.
Practice — by check, in the mailbox
Eleven quick exercises wait here. You will listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay short, so the round moves fast.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
When is the rent due?Drop the Simple English hereHow do I pay the electric bill?Drop the Simple English hereWho do I pay the rent to?Drop the Simple English hereIs there a late fee?Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
Mr. Kowalski is on the porch with his keys. You need his attention before you ask a question.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Is there a late fee?
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Please give me paper that shows I paid rent.
Can I get a rent ____?
Build the line
Build the line
What is the way to pay for power?
?
Tap the words in order.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You don't know who should receive the rent.
Swap the word
Swap the word
You want to know if this way of paying is okay.
Can I pay ____ ___?
True or false?
True or false?
This line asks which day the rent is due.
Pick the reply
Mr. Kowalski says:
Pick the reply
The first of the month. By check, to me.
Pay on day one, with a bank paper, to him.
And you reply with:
What do you say?
What do you say?
You just paid at a store. You still hold the paper in your hand.
Say it — ask him yourself
Now you're Ana on the porch. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- Ana (you)Get his attention before you ask.
Get his attention before you ask.
Excuse me.
you say this to get someone's attention
0 of 7 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| When is the rent due? | On which day must I pay for the apartment? | |
| Can I pay by ___? | Ask if this way of paying is okay. | |
| How do I pay the electric bill? | What is the way to pay for power? | |
| Who do I pay the rent to? | Which person should get the rent money? | |
| Is there a late fee? | Do I pay extra if the rent is late? | |
| Can I get a rent receipt? | Please give me paper that shows I paid rent. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
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A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your rent questions ready.
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