#100 Renting a Bicycle｜French Travel Phrases
Izumi French Garden
#106 Viewing a Property｜French Phrases for Daily Life
Izumi
When searching for a property abroad, it is essential to check details carefully during the viewing—such as the condition of the rooms, facilities, and surrounding environment.
French offers a wide range of expressions used for confirming conditions and asking questions. By using them appropriately, you can make more informed decisions when choosing a property.
In this lesson, I will introduce practical French expressions for property viewings, along with example dialogues.
Contents
Dialogue
Bonjour, je viens pour la visite de l’appartement.
（Hello. I’m here for the apartment viewing.）
Entrez je vous en prie. Je vais vous montrer les différentes pièces.
（Please come in. I will show you the different rooms.）
Merci. Est-ce que l’appartement a été rénové récemment ?
（Thank you. Has the apartment been renovated recently?）
Oui, la cuisine et la salle de bain ont été rénovées l’année dernière.
（Yes, the kitchen and bathroom were renovated last year.）
Très bien. Et quelle est la superficie exacte ?
（I see. What is the exact floor area?）
L’appartement fait 48 mètres carrés.
（The apartment has 48 square meters.）
D’accord. Est-ce que le chauffage est inclus dans les charges ?
（Understood. Is heating included in the building fees?）
Oui, le chauffage collectif est compris dans les charges mensuelles.
（Yes, it uses central heating, and the cost is included in the monthly building fees.）
Et le quartier est calme le soir ?
（And is the neighborhood quiet in the evening?）
Oui, c’est un quartier résidentiel très tranquille.
（Yes, it is a very peaceful residential area.）
Super, je vais réfléchir à tout cela. Merci pour la visite.
（Great, I will consider everything. Thank you for the viewing.）
1. Expressions for Announcing Your Visit
At the beginning of a viewing, it is important to clearly state the purpose of your visit.
- Je viens pour la visite de l’appartement.
(I’m here for the apartment viewing.)
In French real estate, visite is also a technical term meaning “property viewing,” so this expression is commonly used in practice.
Another useful expression is:
- J’ai rendez-vous pour la visite.
(I have an appointment for the viewing.)
Rendez-vous indicates a scheduled appointment, making it useful when you want to emphasize that the visit is reserved.
2. Asking About the Property’s Condition or Renovation History
During a viewing, confirming the general condition of the property is essential.
- Est-ce que l’appartement a été rénové récemment ?
(Has the apartment been renovated recently?)
Even if the property appears clean, some facilities may be outdated, so it is important to check areas not visible at first glance.
- Les installations électriques sont-elles récentes ?
(Are the electrical installations up to date?) - La cuisine est-elle équipée ?
(Is the kitchen equipped?)
In real estate, équipée refers to a “fully equipped kitchen.”
3. Asking About Layout and Floor Area
Floor area is basic information when evaluating a property, and French offers several ways to ask about it.
- Quelle est la superficie exacte ?
(What is the exact surface area?)
Superficie is a technical term in real estate and is ideal when asking about area.
- L’appartement fait 48 mètres carrés.
(The apartment has 48 square meters.)
The structure “fait + number” means “has an area of …”.
4. Confirming Building Fees and Other Costs
When considering long-term living conditions, it is important to check costs other than rent.
- Est-ce que le chauffage est inclus dans les charges ?
(Is heating included in the building fees?)
Charges refers to “building fees/common charges,” while inclus / compris means “included.”
In France, central heating is common, so whether heating costs are included is an important factor.
You may also ask about other expenses:
- Quel est le montant des charges mensuelles ?
(What is the amount of the monthly building fees?) - L’eau est-elle comprise ?
(Is water included?)
5. Checking the Surrounding Environment
The quality of the surrounding environment is a key point when choosing a property.
- Le quartier est calme le soir ?
(Is the neighborhood quiet in the evening?)
Noise levels and access to services directly affect comfort.
- Y a-t-il des commerces à proximité ?
(Are there shops nearby?) - Le quartier est-il bien desservi par les transports ?
(Is the neighborhood well served by public transportation?)
Desservi means “well connected/served,” often used when asking about transportation access.
Summary
- Je viens pour la visite de l’appartement.
→ Basic phrase for announcing your viewing visit. - Est-ce que l’appartement a été rénové récemment ?
→ Use when checking renovation history or overall condition. - Quelle est la superficie exacte ?
→ Useful for confirming floor area. - Est-ce que le chauffage est inclus dans les charges ?
→ Essential for confirming heating and other running costs. - Le quartier est calme / bien desservi ?
→ Expressions for asking about safety, comfort, and transportation in the area.
