Korean for Renters: Asking 'Are Utilities Included?' and Understanding Extra Costs
Learn to ask in Korean whether utilities are included in rent, name common extra costs, and understand a landlord's answer using polite elementary-level patterns.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you rent a home in Korea, the monthly rent (wolse) is often only part of what you pay. Electricity, gas, water, internet, and building maintenance fees may be separate. Before you sign anything, you need to ask one key question: are utilities included? In this lesson you will learn a polite pattern using 포함되다 (to be included), how to name common utilities, and how to ask what costs are extra. You will also learn to understand short answers such as '전기세는 별도예요' (electricity is separate). All phrases use polite -요 endings, which are safe with landlords, real estate agents, and neighbors you have just met.
By the end, you can…
- ask whether utilities are included in the monthly rent using a polite Korean question.
- name common utilities and fees such as electricity, gas, water, internet, and maintenance.
- understand and respond to a landlord's answer about separate or included costs.
- ask how much the extra monthly costs usually are.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
관리비 포함이에요?
Is the maintenance fee included?
gwallibi pohamieyo?
Use this first when looking at an apartment or officetel. 관리비 is a monthly building fee for cleaning, security, and shared areas.
전기세랑 수도세 포함이에요?
Are electricity and water included?
jeongise-rang sudose pohamieyo?
랑 links two nouns in casual spoken Korean. This is a natural, polite yes-or-no question for a landlord or agent.
뭐가 별도예요?
What is separate (not included)?
mwoga byeoldoyeyo?
별도 means 'separate' or 'charged separately.' Use this after you hear that something is not included.
한 달에 얼마 정도 더 내요?
About how much more do I pay per month?
han dare eolma jeongdo deo naeyo?
This asks for an estimate of extra monthly costs. 정도 softens the question to 'about how much.'
인터넷은 제가 따로 신청해야 돼요?
Do I have to apply for internet separately?
inteoneseun jega ttaro sincheonghaeya dwaeyo?
따로 means 'separately.' Use this for services you must set up yourself, such as internet or cable TV.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is noun + 포함이에요? (Is [noun] included?). For example, 관리비 포함이에요? means 'Is the maintenance fee included?' and 전기세 포함이에요? means 'Is electricity included?' To list two items, link them with 랑/이랑: 전기세랑 수도세 포함이에요? (Are electricity and water included?). The opposite word is 별도예요 (it is separate). So a landlord may answer: 관리비는 포함이에요. 전기세는 별도예요. (The maintenance fee is included. Electricity is separate.) The topic particle 은/는 marks what you are talking about, so 전기세는 별도예요 literally means 'as for electricity, it is separate.'
When to use it
Use these questions before signing a contract, ideally during the apartment viewing. Start with 관리비 포함이에요? because maintenance fees are very common in Korean apartments and officetels. Then ask about utilities one by one: 전기세 (electricity), 수도세 (water), 가스비 (gas), 인터넷 (internet). If the answer is 별도예요, follow up with 한 달에 얼마 정도 더 내요? to get a realistic monthly estimate. Keep your tone polite with -요 endings. With a close friend you could drop -요, but with landlords and real estate agents, keep the polite form.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
안녕하세요. 이 집 월세가 얼마예요?
Hello. How much is the monthly rent for this place?annyeonghaseyo. i jip wolsega eolmayeyo?월세는 50만 원이에요. 관리비는 포함이에요.
The monthly rent is 500,000 won. The maintenance fee is included.wolseneun osimman wonieyo. gwallibineun pohamieyo.아, 그럼 전기세랑 수도세도 포함이에요?
Oh, then are electricity and water also included?a, geureom jeongise-rang sudosedo pohamieyo?아니요, 전기세랑 수도세는 별도예요. 한 달에 5만 원 정도 더 나와요.
No, electricity and water are separate. It comes to about 50,000 won more per month.aniyo, jeongise-rang sudoseneun byeoldoyeyo. han dare oman won jeongdo deo nawayo.A little context goes a long way
In Korea, monthly rent often comes with a separate maintenance fee called 관리비, which covers shared building costs. Utilities such as electricity, gas, and water are frequently billed separately, so asking 포함이에요? is normal and expected, not rude. Real estate agents and landlords will usually answer directly. If you need time to think, saying 잠시만요 (just a moment) is polite and common.
One thing to watch for
Using 있어요? to ask if utilities are included, as in 전기세 있어요?
Try this instead: 있어요? means 'Is there electricity?' or 'Do you have electricity?' It does not ask whether the cost is included. Use 포함이에요? instead: 전기세 포함이에요? (Is electricity included?) If you want to ask whether a service exists, use 있어요? separately: 인터넷 있어요? (Is there internet?)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask a landlord if the maintenance fee is included?
Show a sample answer
관리비 포함이에요?
This uses the noun 관리비 plus the polite question pattern 포함이에요? It is the most common first question when viewing a rental. You could also say 관리비 포함인가요? in a slightly more formal style.
2A landlord says 전기세는 별도예요. What does that mean?
Show a sample answer
Electricity is charged separately, not included in the rent.
별도예요 means 'it is separate.' The topic particle 는 marks 전기세 as the topic. You could then ask 한 달에 얼마 정도 더 내요? to learn the extra cost.
3How do you ask about the extra monthly cost using 정도?
Show a sample answer
한 달에 얼마 정도 더 내요?
정도 means 'about' or 'approximately,' which makes the question softer and more natural. You could also ask 한 달에 얼마나 더 나와요? with a similar meaning.
Before renting in Korea, always ask 관리비 포함이에요? and then check each utility with 포함이에요? If you hear 별도예요, ask 한 달에 얼마 정도 더 내요? to know your real monthly cost.
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