Simplified Chinese - Renting an Apartment

Lesson 117 of 156

A tenant and landlord discussing a lease at a small kitchen table; Simplified Chinese rental questions are the lesson focus.

Goal: Questions to ask before you sign

Free Simplified Chinese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome to Lesson 117 — a practical, slightly nosy look at the important questions you should ask when renting. Short and useful: listen, repeat, and get ready to ask your landlord the right things.

Level B1: In this lesson you'll practice common, polite questions used when renting an apartment in mainland China (Simplified Chinese). We'll focus on asking about repairs, fees, payment methods, contracts, notice periods, application documents, and whether you can renew the lease — all the practical phrases you'll actually use when talking to a landlord or agent. This CEFR-aligned session is Lesson 117: quick, realistic, and built for real conversations.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Ask who is responsible for repairs and whether specific facilities have had problems.
  • Find out about rent payment methods, extra fees, and application costs.
  • Request to see the lease before signing, ask about required documents, notice periods, and lease renewal.
A city apartment building entrance with a person holding a rental contract in Simplified Chinese, preparing to ask questions.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

维修由谁负责

Wéixiū yóu shéi fùzé?

Who is responsible for repairs?

Meaning: Who is responsible for repairs?

When to use: Use this to ask whether the landlord, tenant, or property management handles maintenance when something breaks.

Tip: Sometimes learners say 谁负责维修? which is fine but sounds slightly less natural than the lesson phrase.

房东说洗衣机坏了,我就问:维修由谁负责?

Fángdōng shuō xǐyījī huài le, wǒ jiù wèn: Wéixiū yóu shéi fùzé?

The landlord said the washing machine is broken, so I asked who is responsible for repairs.
如果暖气不热,最好先问清楚:维修由谁负责?

Rúguǒ nuǎnqì bù rè, zuì hǎo xiān wèn qīngchu: Wéixiū yóu shéi fùzé?

If the heating isn't warm, it's best to ask first: who is responsible for repairs?

租期结束后可以续租吗?

Zūqī jiéshù hòu kěyǐ xùzū ma?

Can I renew the lease after it ends?

Meaning: Can I renew the lease after it ends?

When to use: Ask this when your lease is near its end and you want to stay longer — landlords often use 续租 for renewal.

我的合同快到期了,我想问房东:租期结束后可以续租吗?

Wǒ de hétong kuài dàoqī le, wǒ xiǎng wèn fángdōng: Zūqī jiéshù hòu kěyǐ xùzū ma?

My contract is almost up; I want to ask the landlord: can I renew the lease after it ends?
学院附近的房子很方便,我会先问:租期结束后可以续租吗?

Xuéyuàn fùjìn de fángzi hěn fāngbiàn, wǒ huì xiān wèn: Zūqī jiéshù hòu kěyǐ xùzū ma?

The apartment near campus is convenient; I'll first ask: can I renew after the lease ends?

申请需要准备哪些材料?

Shēnqǐng xūyào zhǔnbèi nǎxiē cáiliào?

What documents do I need for the application?

Meaning: What documents do I need for the application?

When to use: Use this to confirm required paperwork like ID, income proof, or employer letters when applying for a rental.

中介说要申请入住,我问:申请需要准备哪些材料?

Zhōngjiè shuō yào shēnqǐng rùzhù, wǒ wèn: Shēnqǐng xūyào zhǔnbèi nǎxiē cáiliào?

The agent said I need to apply to move in; I asked: what documents do I need for the application?
公司报销租房,我需要知道:申请需要准备哪些材料?

Gōngsī bàoxiāo zūfáng, wǒ xūyào zhīdào: Shēnqǐng xūyào zhǔnbèi nǎxiē cáiliào?

The company reimburses rent, so I need to know: what documents are needed for the application?

有申请费吗

Yǒu shēnqǐng fèi ma?

Is there an application fee?

Meaning: Is there an application fee?

When to use: Ask whether there's an extra charge to apply for the apartment; some agencies or landlords may ask for a small fee.

在签合同前,我想确认:有申请费吗?

Zài qiān hétong qián, wǒ xiǎng quèrèn: Yǒu shēnqǐng fèi ma?

Before signing the contract, I want to confirm: is there an application fee?
中介提到要处理申请,我问他有申请费吗?

Zhōngjiè tí dào yào chǔlǐ shēnqǐng, wǒ wèn tā: Yǒu shēnqǐng fèi ma?

The agent mentioned handling the application; I asked him: is there an application fee?

房租可以用___付吗?

Fángzū kěyǐ yòng ___ fù ma?

Can I pay the rent by ___?

Meaning: Can I pay the rent by ___?

When to use: Fill the blank with payment methods like 微信, 支付宝, 银行卡, or 现金 to ask which payment methods are accepted.

Tip: Don't forget to insert a payment method in the blank; otherwise the question is incomplete.

房东说交房租,我问:房租可以用支付宝付吗?

Fángdōng shuō jiāo fángzū, wǒ wèn: Fángzū kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo fù ma?

The landlord said to pay rent; I asked: can I pay the rent with Alipay?
每个月他只收现金,我打电话问:房租可以用银行卡付吗?

Měi ge yuè tā zhǐ shōu xiànjīn, wǒ dǎ diànhuà wèn: Fángzū kěyǐ yòng yínhángkǎ fù ma?

He only accepts cash each month; I called to ask: can I pay rent with a bank card?

还有什么额外费用需要提前知道吗?

Hái yǒu shénme éwài fèiyòng xūyào tíqián zhīdào ma?

Are there any extra fees I should know about?

Meaning: Are there any extra fees I should know about?

When to use: Use this to check for additional costs like utilities, property management, parking, or agency fees beyond the base rent.

合同写的只是房租,我还要问:还有什么额外费用需要提前知道吗?

Hétong xiě de zhǐ shì fángzū, wǒ hái yào wèn: Hái yǒu shénme éwài fèiyòng xūyào tíqián zhīdào ma?

The contract only lists rent; I also want to ask: are there any extra fees I should know about?
房东说水电自理,我再问:还有什么额外费用需要提前知道吗?

Fángdōng shuō shuǐdiàn zìlǐ, wǒ zài wèn: Hái yǒu shénme éwài fèiyòng xūyào tíqián zhīdào ma?

The landlord said utilities are on me; I asked again: are there any extra fees I should know about?

签之前,我可以先看一份租房合同吗?

Qiān zhīqián, wǒ kěyǐ xiān kàn yí fèn zūfáng hétong ma?

Can I see a copy of the lease before I sign?

Meaning: Can I see a copy of the lease before I sign?

When to use: Ask this to request reviewing the rental contract before you commit to signing it.

在交定金前我说:签之前,我可以先看一份租房合同吗?

Zài jiāo dìngjīn qián wǒ shuō: Qiān zhīqián, wǒ kěyǐ xiān kàn yí fèn zūfáng hétong ma?

Before paying the deposit I said: can I see a copy of the lease before I sign?
如果有条款不清楚,最好直接问:签之前,我可以先看一份租房合同吗?

Rúguǒ yǒu tiáokuǎn bù qīngchu, zuì hǎo zhíjiē wèn: Qiān zhīqián, wǒ kěyǐ xiān kàn yí fèn zūfáng hétong ma?

If any terms are unclear, it's best to ask directly: can I see the lease before signing?

搬走需要提前多久通知?

Bān zǒu xūyào tíqián duōjiǔ tōngzhī?

What is the notice period for moving out?

Meaning: What is the notice period for moving out?

When to use: Use this to ask how many days in advance you must inform the landlord if you plan to move out or not renew the lease.

如果我想提前搬走,我会问:搬走需要提前多久通知?

Rúguǒ wǒ xiǎng tíqián bān zǒu, wǒ huì wèn: Bān zǒu xūyào tíqián duōjiǔ tōngzhī?

If I want to move out early, I'll ask: how long in advance do I need to notify?
合同里没写通知时间,所以我要确认:搬走需要提前多久通知?

Hétong lǐ méi xiě tōngzhī shíjiān, suǒyǐ wǒ yào quèrèn: Bān zǒu xūyào tíqián duōjiǔ tōngzhī?

The contract doesn't state the notice time, so I need to confirm: how long in advance to notify about moving out?

___以前出过问题吗?

___ yǐqián chū guo wèntí ma?

Has there been any problem with ___?

Meaning: Has there been any problem with ___?

When to use: Fill the blank with fixtures like 水管, 电路, 暖气, 空调 to ask if those things have had issues in the past.

看房时我问:空调以前出过问题吗?

Kàn fáng shí wǒ wèn: Kōngtiáo yǐqián chū guo wèntí ma?

When viewing the apartment I asked: has the air conditioner had problems before?
他说水管老问题,我就问:水管以前出过问题吗?

Tā shuō shuǐguǎn lǎo wèntí, wǒ jiù wèn: Shuǐguǎn yǐqián chū guo wèntí ma?

He said the pipes are an old issue, so I asked: have the pipes had problems before?

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna calls her friend David to run through questions she plans to ask the landlord.

Two friends look at a rental listing on a phone and rehearse questions in Simplified Chinese about repairs, fees, and the lease.

What is Anna preparing to do?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

我明天去看房,要问几个问题,先听我念一遍可以吗?

Wǒ míngtiān qù kàn fáng, yào wèn jǐ ge wèntí, xiān tīng wǒ niàn yí biàn kěyǐ ma?

I'm viewing the apartment tomorrow, I want to ask a few questions — can you hear me read them first?

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

当然,先说吧。你准备问什么?

Dāngrán, xiān shuō ba. Nǐ zhǔnbèi wèn shénme?

Of course, go ahead. What will you ask?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

维修由谁负责?还有什么额外费用需要提前知道吗?房租可以用支付宝付吗?

Wéixiū yóu shéi fùzé? Hái yǒu shénme éwài fèiyòng xūyào tíqián zhīdào ma? Fángzū kěyǐ yòng Zhīfùbǎo fù ma?

Who is responsible for repairs? Are there any extra fees I should know about? Can I pay the rent with Alipay?

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

还要问能不能续租,签之前我可以先看一份租房合同吗?

Hái yào wèn néng bù néng xùzū, qiān zhīqián wǒ kěyǐ xiān kàn yí fèn zūfáng hétong ma?

Also ask whether you can renew; and: can I see a copy of the lease before I sign?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

好,我还会问申请需要准备哪些材料,还有搬走需要提前多久通知?

Hǎo, wǒ hái huì wèn shēnqǐng xūyào zhǔnbèi nǎxiē cáiliào, hái yǒu bān zǒu xūyào tíqián duōjiǔ tōngzhī?

Good. I'll also ask what documents are needed for the application, and how long in advance to give notice to move out.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

很好,别忘了问:___以前出过问题吗?比如空调。祝你顺利!

Hěn hǎo, bié wàng le wèn: ___ yǐqián chū guo wèntí ma? Bǐrú kōngtiáo. Zhù nǐ shùnlì!

Great — don't forget to ask: has ___ had problems before? For example the air conditioner. Good luck!

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which Chinese sentence asks whether you can renew the lease after it ends?

Which sentence asks who handles maintenance and repairs?

Which Chinese sentence is the best way to ask if you need to pay a fee to apply?

Which sentence asks about how much notice you must give before moving out?

When the bathroom drain is blocked and you're confirming responsibility and cost, you'd ask: Who is responsible for repairs?

浴室的地漏堵住了,跟房东确认责任和费用时我会说:___

If the contract is about to end and you want to stay, you should ask: Can I renew the lease after it ends?

合同快到期,想继续住就应该问房东:___

If the agent asks you to bring documents for signing and you're unsure, you'd ask: What documents do I need for the application?

中介说要你带材料面签,你不确定都需要什么,就问:___

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

维修由谁负责

Wéixiū yóu shéi fùzé?

Who is responsible for repairs?

Say this phrase out loud:

租期结束后可以续租吗?

Zūqī jiéshù hòu kěyǐ xùzū ma?

Can I renew the lease after it ends?

Say this phrase out loud:

申请需要准备哪些材料?

Shēnqǐng xūyào zhǔnbèi nǎxiē cáiliào?

What documents do I need for the application?

Say this phrase out loud:

有申请费吗

Yǒu shēnqǐng fèi ma?

Is there an application fee?

Say this phrase out loud:

房租可以用___付吗?

Fángzū kěyǐ yòng ___ fù ma?

Can I pay the rent by ___?

Say this phrase out loud:

还有什么额外费用需要提前知道吗?

Hái yǒu shénme éwài fèiyòng xūyào tíqián zhīdào ma?

Are there any extra fees I should know about?

Say this phrase out loud:

签之前,我可以先看一份租房合同吗?

Qiān zhīqián, wǒ kěyǐ xiān kàn yí fèn zūfáng hétong ma?

Can I see a copy of the lease before I sign?

Say this phrase out loud:

搬走需要提前多久通知?

Bān zǒu xūyào tíqián duōjiǔ tōngzhī?

What is the notice period for moving out?

Say this phrase out loud:

___以前出过问题吗?

___ yǐqián chū guo wèntí ma?

Has there been any problem with ___?