#55 Confirming and Adjusting Deadlines｜French Business Conversation
Izumi Curious French
#177 Changing the Rent Payment Method｜French Daily Life Phrases
Izumi
When living in a rental property, there may be situations where you wish to change the rent payment method that was originally set.
For example, you may want to switch from paying in cash to making a bank transfer, or change to an automatic debit system.
In such procedures, it is necessary to communicate with the landlord or real estate agency about the new payment method and confirm any required documents.
In this article, I will explain useful French expressions that can be used when changing the rent payment method.
Contents
Dialogue
Bonjour, je voulais vous parler du mode de paiement du loyer.
（Hello, I would like to talk to you about the rent payment method.）
Oui, de quoi s’agit-il ?
（Yes, what seems to be the matter?）
Actuellement, je paie par virement bancaire, mais j’aimerais passer au prélèvement automatique.
（Currently, I pay by bank transfer, but I would like to switch to automatic debit.）
C’est possible. Il faudra nous fournir un RIB.
（That is possible. You will need to provide us with a bank account statement (RIB).）
Y a-t-il un formulaire à remplir ?
（Is there a form that I need to fill out?）
Oui, nous vous enverrons un document à signer par email.
（Yes, we will send you a document to sign by email.）
D’accord, je vous remercie.
（All right, thank you very much.）
1. Asking About Changing the Payment Method
When discussing a change in the rent payment method, I usually recommend starting by clearly stating your request.
Example
- Je voulais vous parler du mode de paiement du loyer.
（I would like to talk to you about the rent payment method.）
The expression “mode de paiement” means “payment method” and can be used not only for rent, but also for utilities, insurance, and various service contracts.
Related Expressions
- mode de paiement de la facture
（payment method for an invoice） - mode de paiement du service
（payment method for a service）
2. Explaining the Current Payment Method
Before explaining the new payment method, it is helpful to first state how you are currently paying. This makes the conversation clearer and more structured.
Example
- Actuellement, je paie par virement bancaire.
（Currently, I pay by bank transfer.）
The structure “payer par / en + method” means “to pay by ~” and can be used for many different payment methods.
An important point to note is the difference between the prepositions “par” and “en,” both of which are commonly used to indicate payment methods in French.
First, “par” focuses on the means or method used for payment.
Examples
- Je paie par carte bancaire.
（I pay by credit/debit card.） - Je paie par virement.
（I pay by bank transfer.） - Je paie par chèque.
（I pay by cheque.）
On the other hand, “en” refers more to the form or state of the payment, and is often used when the physical nature of the payment is emphasized.
Example
- Je paie en espèces.
（I pay in cash.）
In simple terms, the difference can be understood as follows:
Points
- par → focuses on the method or means of payment
- en → focuses on the form or state of payment
3. Stating the New Payment Method
Next, I explain how to express the new payment method.
Example
- J’aimerais passer au prélèvement automatique.
（I would like to switch to automatic debit.）
The expression “passer à ~” means “to switch to” or “to change to” and is widely used for payment methods, subscription plans, and contract changes.
The term “prélèvement automatique” means “automatic debit.”
Related Expressions
- J’aimerais passer au paiement par carte.
（I would like to switch to card payment.） - J’aimerais passer à un autre compte bancaire.
（I would like to switch to another bank account.）
4. Confirming the Required Documents
When changing a payment method, you are often required to submit bank-related documents.
Example
- Il faudra nous fournir un RIB.
（You will need to provide us with a bank account statement.）
RIB (Relevé d’Identité Bancaire) is a French-specific document that contains bank account details such as the account number and account holder’s name.
It is required in many situations in France, such as for rent, electricity, gas, and internet contracts.
Summary
Key French Phrases
- Je voulais vous parler du mode de paiement du loyer.
→ Used to initiate a discussion about the payment method. - Actuellement, je paie par ~.
→ Structure for explaining the current payment method. - J’aimerais passer à ~.
→ A versatile expression for changing payment methods, plans, or contracts. - Il faudra fournir un RIB.
→ An essential expression related to bank documents in daily life in France.
