How to Ask If Utilities Are Included in Rent in Japanese
Learn to ask 'Are utilities included?' in Japanese and understand common extra rental costs like 共益費 and 礼金.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When renting an apartment in Japan, the monthly rent (家賃, yachin) is rarely the only cost. You must ask whether utilities such as water, electricity, and gas are included, and whether there are additional monthly fees like 共益費 (kyōekihi) or 管理費 (kanrihi). This lesson teaches you the exact phrases to ask if utilities are included, how to ask about extra costs, and how to understand the answer. By the end, you will be able to handle a basic rental inquiry with confidence.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether utilities are included in the rent.
- ask about additional monthly fees such as 共益費 or 管理費.
- understand and respond to a landlord's answer about utility costs.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
光熱費は家賃に含まれていますか。
Are utilities included in the rent?
Kōnetsuhi wa yachin ni fukumarete imasu ka.
光熱費 (kōnetsuhi) means utility costs (electricity, gas, water). This is the most direct way to ask.
水道代は含まれていますか。
Is the water bill included?
Suidōdai wa fukumarete imasu ka.
Use this to ask specifically about water. Replace 水道代 with 電気代 (denkidai, electricity) or ガス代 (gasudai, gas) as needed.
共益費はかかりますか。
Is there a common area fee?
Kyōekihi wa kakarimasu ka.
共益費 is a monthly maintenance fee for shared areas. It is often listed separately from rent.
他に毎月かかるお金はありますか。
Are there any other monthly costs?
Hoka ni maitsuki kakaru okane wa arimasu ka.
Use this to ask about any other recurring fees, such as 管理費 (kanrihi) or parking.
敷金と礼金は別ですか。
Are the deposit and key money separate?
Shikikin to reikin wa betsu desu ka.
敷金 (shikikin) is a refundable deposit; 礼金 (reikin) is non-refundable key money. Ask this to clarify upfront costs.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask if something is included, use the pattern: [item] は 家賃 に 含まれていますか。 (X wa yachin ni fukumarete imasu ka). For example, 光熱費は家賃に含まれていますか (Are utilities included in the rent?). To ask if a fee is charged, use: [item] は かかりますか。 (X wa kakarimasu ka). For example, 共益費はかかりますか (Is there a common area fee?). These patterns work for many rental-related items.
When to use it
Use these questions when you first inquire about an apartment, either in person at a real estate agency (不動産屋, fudōsan'ya) or over the phone. It is polite to start with すみません (sumimasen) to get attention. For example: すみません、光熱費は家賃に含まれていますか。 (Excuse me, are utilities included in the rent?). If you are emailing, you can write the same sentence without すみません. Always confirm extra monthly costs before signing a contract.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この部屋の家賃はいくらですか。
Excuse me, how much is the rent for this room?Sumimasen, kono heya no yachin wa ikura desu ka.家賃は月に八万円です。
The rent is 80,000 yen per month.Yachin wa tsuki ni hachiman en desu.光熱費は家賃に含まれていますか。
Are utilities included in the rent?Kōnetsuhi wa yachin ni fukumarete imasu ka.いいえ、含まれていません。別に共益費が五千円かかります。
No, they are not included. There is a separate common area fee of 5,000 yen.Iie, fukumarete imasen. Betsu ni kyōekihi ga gosen en kakarimasu.A little context goes a long way
In Japan, rental contracts often include a 仲介手数料 (chūkai tesūryō, agency fee) equal to about one month's rent, and a 礼金 (reikin, key money) that is non-refundable. These are not utilities but are important extra costs. When asking about utilities, it is normal to also ask about 共益費 or 管理費. Be polite and clear; direct questions are acceptable in this context.
One thing to watch for
Using 入っています (haitte imasu) instead of 含まれています (fukumarete imasu) to ask if utilities are included.
Try this instead: 入っています means 'is inside' and is not used for included costs. The correct phrase is 含まれています. For example, say 光熱費は家賃に含まれていますか, not 光熱費は家賃に入っていますか.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is the water bill included?' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
水道代は含まれていますか。 (Suidōdai wa fukumarete imasu ka.)
This uses the pattern [item] は 含まれていますか. You can replace 水道代 with other utilities like 電気代 or ガス代.
2What does 共益費 mean, and how do you ask if it is charged?
Show a sample answer
共益費 means common area fee. Ask: 共益費はかかりますか。 (Kyōekihi wa kakarimasu ka.)
This question uses the pattern [item] は かかりますか to ask if a fee is charged. It is a standard way to inquire about extra monthly costs.
3Translate into Japanese: 'Are there any other monthly costs?'
Show a sample answer
他に毎月かかるお金はありますか。 (Hoka ni maitsuki kakaru okane wa arimasu ka.)
This sentence asks about additional recurring costs. You could also say 他に毎月の費用はありますか (Hoka ni maitsuki no hiyō wa arimasu ka), which is slightly more formal.
Always ask 光熱費は家賃に含まれていますか and 共益費はかかりますか before renting. Confirm all monthly costs to avoid surprises.
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