Start with these readable Korean phrases before you pay: 관리비가 얼마예요? 관리비에 뭐가 포함돼요? 수도요금은 별도예요? 전기요금은 별도예요? 영수증을 받을 수 있어요?
Housing costs in Korea can be confusing because one room may involve monthly rent, a deposit, a maintenance fee, water, electricity, gas, internet, and sometimes a cleaning charge. This lesson gives you short Korean questions that help you ask the manager, landlord, real estate agent, dorm office, or goshiwon staff exactly what you are paying for.
Use this page before signing a contract, before paying the first month, when a bill looks different, or when you are preparing to move out. The goal is not only to learn vocabulary. The goal is to protect your money by asking clear questions and keeping written proof.
Before you pay: what to confirm
Do not look only at the advertised monthly rent. Ask whether 관리비 is fixed or changes every month, whether water and electricity are included, how the bill notice arrives, and whether you can receive a receipt. If you are not sure, ask one question at a time and write the answer in your notes.
Quick phrase table
| Moment | Korean | Meaning | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ask the basic fee | 관리비가 얼마예요? | How much is the maintenance fee? | Use before signing, moving in, or paying the first month. |
| Check included items | 관리비에 뭐가 포함돼요? | What is included in the maintenance fee? | Use when rent looks low but extra costs are unclear. |
| Water bill | 수도요금은 별도예요? | Is the water bill separate? | Use when the bill notice has several utility lines. |
| Electricity bill | 전기요금은 별도예요? | Is the electricity bill separate? | Use before you decide how much cash to keep ready. |
| Gas bill | 가스요금도 포함돼요? | Is the gas bill included too? | Use in winter or when heating costs matter. |
| Internet cost | 인터넷 비용은 포함돼요? | Is internet included? | Use in officetels, dorms, and goshiwon rooms. |
| Monthly rent deadline | 월세는 언제까지 내야 해요? | By when should I pay monthly rent? | Use after you confirm the account number. |
| Deposit return | 보증금은 언제 돌려받아요? | When do I get the deposit back? | Use before moving out, not after a dispute starts. |
| Automatic transfer | 자동이체 가능해요? | Is automatic transfer possible? | Use if you want to avoid missing the due date. |
| Bill notice | 이번 달 고지서를 보여 주세요. | Please show me this month’s bill notice. | Use when the amount changed or you did not receive a notice. |
| Late fee | 연체료가 있어요? | Is there a late fee? | Use when the due date is close or unclear. |
| Receipt | 영수증을 받을 수 있어요? | Can I get a receipt? | Use after paying cash or when you need proof. |
Bill words you should recognize
| Word | Meaning | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 관리비 | maintenance fee | Building cleaning, shared electricity, elevator, security, internet, or other shared costs may be included. |
| 월세 | monthly rent | This is the fixed rent amount, separate from deposit and sometimes separate from management fees. |
| 보증금 | deposit | Ask about return timing, deductions, bank account, and written move-out process. |
| 고지서 | bill notice | This paper or message explains the amount, period, and due date. |
| 수도요금 | water bill | Ask whether it is included in the maintenance fee or paid separately. |
| 전기요금 | electricity bill | Ask where the bill arrives and whether it is paid to the landlord or utility company. |
| 가스요금 | gas bill | Heating can make this important in winter. Confirm if it is separate. |
| 계좌번호 | account number | Confirm the exact account before sending money. |
| 자동이체 | automatic transfer | Useful when you want monthly payments to happen automatically. |
| 연체료 | late fee | Ask before the deadline if payment might be delayed. |
Real situations and safer actions
| Situation | What to ask | Safe action |
|---|---|---|
| Before signing | Ask what 관리비 includes and whether utilities are separate. | Write the answer in your contract notes. |
| First month | Compare 월세, 관리비, and utility bills before paying. | Do not send one combined amount unless the manager confirms it. |
| Bill went up | Ask to see 이번 달 고지서 and the previous month if needed. | Take a photo only if personal data is not exposed. |
| Moving out | Ask when 보증금 is returned and what deductions are possible. | Confirm cleaning, repair, and key return rules. |
| Paying in cash | Ask for 영수증 immediately. | Keep the receipt until the room deposit is returned. |
| Message instead of phone | Send a short polite message with one question at a time. | Use simple phrases from the quick table. |
| Shared housing | Ask whether internet, water, gas, and cleaning are shared or separate. | Shared rooms often have local rules that are not obvious. |
Short dialogue with a building manager
| Speaker | Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| You | 관리비가 얼마예요? | How much is the maintenance fee? |
| Manager | 관리비는 한 달에 8만 원이에요. | The maintenance fee is 80,000 won per month. |
| You | 관리비에 뭐가 포함돼요? | What is included in the maintenance fee? |
| Manager | 수도요금과 청소비가 포함돼요. 전기요금은 별도예요. | Water and cleaning are included. Electricity is separate. |
| You | 이번 달 고지서를 보여 주세요. 영수증을 받을 수 있어요? | Please show me this month’s bill notice. Can I get a receipt? |
| Manager | 네, 여기 고지서와 영수증입니다. | Yes, here are the bill notice and receipt. |
Message example you can copy
안녕하세요. 이번 달 관리비 고지서를 확인하고 싶어요. 관리비에 수도요금과 청소비가 포함돼요? 전기요금은 별도예요? 가능하면 영수증도 받을 수 있을까요?
This message is polite, short, and specific. It asks for the bill notice, included items, separate electricity charges, and a receipt. If you need a written record, a message is often better than a rushed phone call.
Mistakes and money safety notes
| Risk | Safer habit |
|---|---|
| Do not rely on one word | “Included” can mean only water, not electricity or gas. Ask each item separately. |
| Confirm the account | Before any transfer, ask 계좌번호를 확인해 주세요. |
| Separate deposit from rent | 보증금 is not 월세. Ask about return timing in writing. |
| Keep proof | Save receipts, messages, and bill notices until after move-out. |
| Ask before late payment | If you may be late, ask about 연체료 before the due date. |
| Use polite short Korean | Short clear questions are safer than long machine-translated messages. |
Practice task
- Say 관리비가 얼마예요? three times, then replace 관리비 with 수도요금, 전기요금, and 가스요금.
- Write one message asking what is included in the fee and when 월세 is due.
- Practice the move-out question: 보증금은 언제 돌려받아요?
- Open the BSKorean app and review related housing and bank transfer words after reading this page.
Related BSKorean lessons
BSKorean app | apartment management fee words | bank transfer words | housing words | apartment words