Viewing an Apartment
Use these phrases to ask the right questions and understand the terms when viewing a potential new apartment in a French-speaking city.
Key Phrases
À partir de quand est-ce que l'appartement sera disponible ?
neutralWhen will the apartment be available from?
A standard way to ask for the exact move-in date.
Il est libre à partir de quand ?
casualWhen is it free from?
A very common, relaxed way to ask about move-in dates in spoken French.
Quel est le montant exact du loyer mensuel ?
neutralWhat is the exact amount of the monthly rent?
C'est combien le loyer, en tout ?
casualHow much is the rent, altogether?
Adding 'en tout' clarifies that you want to know the final price including any extra fees.
Est-ce que les charges sont comprises dans ce prix ?
neutralAre the bills included in this price?
In France, 'charges comprises' usually covers building maintenance and cold water, but rarely electricity.
L'électricité et internet, c'est compris dedans ?
casualElectricity and internet, is that included in it?
Using 'c'est compris dedans' is a very natural conversational phrasing.
Combien est-ce qu'il faut verser pour la caution ?
neutralHow much needs to be paid for the deposit?
'Caution' is the common everyday word used for the security deposit.
Quel est le montant du dépôt de garantie que vous demandez ?
politeWhat is the amount of the security deposit you are asking for?
'Dépôt de garantie' is the formal, legal term for the deposit found in contracts.
Est-ce que vous louez cet appartement complètement meublé ?
neutralAre you renting this apartment fully furnished?
Est-ce qu'il restera meublé comme on le voit aujourd'hui ?
politeWill it remain furnished as we see it today?
Useful to confirm if the current furniture belongs to the landlord or the previous tenant.
Le salon est vraiment lumineux, c'est très agréable.
neutralThe living room is really bright, it's very pleasant.
La chambre principale, elle fait combien de mètres carrés ?
casualThe main bedroom, how many square meters is it?
Repeating the subject with a pronoun ('elle') is a hallmark of natural spoken French.
C'est un quartier qui est assez calme en général ?
neutralIs it a neighborhood that is quite calm in general?
Est-ce que les voisins font beaucoup de bruit le soir ?
casualDo the neighbors make a lot of noise in the evening?
Cet appartement m'intéresse beaucoup, quels sont les documents à fournir ?
politeI am very interested in this apartment, what documents need to be provided?
In France, you usually need to provide a complete 'dossier' (application file) to apply.
Il me plaît bien, je peux vous laisser mon dossier ?
casualI like it a lot, can I leave you my application file?
Use this if you came prepared with a printed application to hand over immediately.