How to Ask If Utilities Are Included in Rent in French
Learn to ask 'Are utilities included?' in French, name common extra charges, and understand a landlord's answer when renting an apartment.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you rent a place in France, the advertised rent is not always the full amount you pay each month. Many listings show rent excluding charges, and you need to ask directly whether utilities are included. In this lesson you will learn the key question 'Les charges sont comprises ?' plus related phrases for water, electricity, heating and building fees, so you can understand exactly what your monthly cost will be before you sign anything.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether utilities and building charges are included in the rent.
- name common extra costs such as water, electricity and heating.
- understand a simple answer about what is included and what I must pay separately.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Les charges sont comprises ?
Are the charges included?
lay sharzh son kom-PREEZ
The most useful general question. 'Les charges' covers building and utility costs added to rent. Use it with a landlord or agency.
Le loyer, c'est charges comprises ?
Is the rent charges included?
luh lwa-YAY, say sharzh kom-PREEZ
A slightly more explicit version. 'Charges comprises' is the standard phrase you will see in rental ads.
L'eau et l'électricité sont incluses ?
Are water and electricity included?
loh ay lay-lek-tree-see-TAY son tan-KLEWZ
Use this to ask about specific utilities. 'Incluses' is feminine plural because 'l'eau' and 'l'électricité' are feminine.
Le chauffage est compris ?
Is heating included?
luh shoh-FAZH ay kom-PREE
Important in older buildings. 'Le chauffage' is masculine, so the adjective is 'compris', not 'comprise'.
Qu'est-ce que je paie en plus ?
What do I pay extra?
kess-kuh zhuh pay on PLUSS
Ask this after the first question to find out what is not covered. 'En plus' means 'extra' or 'on top'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is a noun plus 'est compris' or 'sont compris(e)s'. Use 'est compris' with a singular noun: 'Le chauffage est compris.' Use 'sont compris(e)s' with a plural noun: 'Les charges sont comprises.' The adjective agrees in gender and number, so 'compris', 'comprise', 'compris', 'comprises'. In everyday speech many people simply say 'charges comprises' without a verb, especially in ads.
When to use it
Use 'Les charges sont comprises ?' when you first visit a flat or contact an agency. If the answer is 'non', follow with 'Qu'est-ce que je paie en plus ?' to list separate costs. Landlords may say 'tout est compris' meaning everything is included, or 'l'eau est comprise, mais pas l'électricité'. Listen for 'mais pas' (but not) and 'sauf' (except). In shared flats, ask 'Est-ce que c'est par personne ou pour l'appartement ?' to know if costs are split per person.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, le loyer est de combien ?
Hello, how much is the rent?bon-ZHOOR, luh lwa-YAY ay duh kom-BYANC'est huit cents euros par mois, charges comprises.
It's eight hundred euros per month, charges included.say wee san tuh-ROH par mwa, sharzh kom-PREEZD'accord. L'eau et l'électricité sont incluses ?
Okay. Are water and electricity included?da-KOR. loh ay lay-lek-tree-see-TAY son tan-KLEWZL'eau est comprise, mais pas l'électricité. Le chauffage est compris.
Water is included, but not electricity. Heating is included.loh ay kom-PREEZ, may pah lay-lek-tree-see-TAY. luh shoh-FAZH ay kom-PREEA little context goes a long way
In France, rental ads often show 'CC' for 'charges comprises' or 'HC' for 'hors charges' (excluding charges). The 'charges' usually cover building maintenance, water in common areas and sometimes heating, but electricity and internet are often separate. In Quebec, you may hear 'les frais sont inclus' or 'tout est inclus', and heating is sometimes called 'le chauffage' as well. Always confirm in writing before signing.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Les charges sont inclus ?' and forgetting the feminine agreement.
Try this instead: 'Charges' is feminine plural, so use 'incluses': 'Les charges sont incluses ?' For a masculine singular noun, use 'inclus' or 'compris': 'Le chauffage est compris ?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Are the charges included?' in French?
Show a sample answer
Les charges sont comprises ?
This is the standard question. 'Charges' is feminine plural, so the adjective takes -es. You may also hear 'C'est charges comprises ?' in casual speech.
2A landlord says 'L'eau est comprise, mais pas l'électricité.' What do you pay separately?
Show a sample answer
Electricity.
'Mais pas' means 'but not', so water is included but electricity is not. You would pay the electricity bill yourself.
3Translate: 'Is heating included?'
Show a sample answer
Le chauffage est compris ?
'Le chauffage' is masculine singular, so the adjective is 'compris' without -e. 'Inclus' would also work: 'Le chauffage est inclus ?'
Always ask 'Les charges sont comprises ?' before agreeing to rent, then ask 'Qu'est-ce que je paie en plus ?' to find out exactly what is not included.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s French into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr