What to say in Portuguese when asking if utilities are included

Introduction

When looking for an apartment or room in Brazil, one of the first practical questions is whether utilities are included. This article teaches beginner English-speaking learners what to say in Brazilian Portuguese when asking if utilities are included, how to understand replies, useful vocabulary, and simple dialogues you can use in real situations.

Why asking about utilities matters

Knowing whether utilities are included affects your monthly budget and what you need to set up after moving in. Utilities typically mean electricity, water, gas, internet, and sometimes building fees. In Brazil, landlords or rental listings might be unclear, so learning the right phrases in Brazilian Portuguese helps you communicate clearly and avoid misunderstandings.

Key vocabulary to learn first

Start with these essential vocabulary words you will encounter when discussing utilities.

aluguel – rent

contas – bills, utilities

incluído – included

não incluído – not included

água – water

luz – electricity

gás – gas

internet – internet

condomínio – condo fee or building fee (common in apartments)

taxas – fees

Simple phrases to ask if utilities are included

Here are beginner-friendly phrases you can use. The first time a main phrase appears it is highlighted.

As contas estão incluídas?

As contas estão incluídas? – Are the utilities included?

O aluguel inclui as contas?

O aluguel inclui as contas? – Does the rent include the utilities?

O condomínio está incluído?

O condomínio está incluído? – Is the building fee included?

A internet está inclusa?

A internet está inclusa? – Is the internet included?

Quais contas eu preciso pagar?

Quais contas eu preciso pagar? – Which bills do I need to pay?

How to ask more specifically

If you want to know about each utility, ask individually. This is useful when a landlord says some bills are included but not all.

A água está incluída?

A água está incluída? – Is water included?

A luz está incluída?

A luz está incluída? – Is electricity included?

O gás está incluído?

O gás está incluído? – Is gas included?

Quem paga a internet?

Quem paga a internet? – Who pays for the internet?

Common replies you might hear

Here are expected answers and what they mean in plain English.

Sim, todas as contas estão incluídas.

Sim, todas as contas estão incluídas. – Yes, all utilities are included.

Não, só o condomínio está incluído.

Não, só o condomínio está incluído. – No, only the building fee is included.

A conta de luz fica por sua conta.

A conta de luz fica por sua conta. – The electricity bill is your responsibility.

A internet já está paga até o fim do mês.

A internet já está paga até o fim do mês. – The internet is already paid until the end of the month.

As contas são divididas entre os moradores.

As contas são divididas entre os moradores. – The bills are split among the residents.

Short dialogues for real situations

Use these beginner-friendly dialogues when talking to a landlord, host, or roommate. Each line is short and practical.

Você: O aluguel inclui as contas?
Proprietário: Não, só o condomínio.

Você: Quem paga a internet?
Proprietário: Você pode contratar ou dividir com o vizinho.

Você: As contas estão incluídas?
Proprietário: Sim, água e luz estão incluídas, mas você paga o gás.

Você: Como dividimos as contas?
Morador: A gente soma tudo e divide por três.

Useful follow-up questions

After the initial question, use these follow-ups to get details about costs, billing cycles, and responsibilities.

Quanto costuma dar por mês?

Quanto costuma dar por mês? – How much does it usually cost per month?

As contas vêm no meu nome?

As contas vêm no meu nome? – Will the bills be in my name?

Como e quando eu pago?

Como e quando eu pago? – How and when do I pay?

Tem algum depósito ou taxa extra?

Tem algum depósito ou taxa extra? – Is there any deposit or extra fee?

Beginner tips for understanding replies

Keep these pointers in mind during conversations so you avoid misunderstandings.

Listen for incluído or incluso to know if something is included. Both forms are used in Brazil; incluído is common in formal contexts and incluso appears in informal listings.

If the landlord says the bills are divided, ask how many people and how the division is calculated. For example, whether utilities are split equally or by individual consumption affects your cost.

Ask whether bills will be transferred to your name. If bills are in the landlord’s name, you may pay them separately or reimburse the landlord.

Confirm the billing period: mensal means monthly, and quinzenal means biweekly. Knowing the period helps plan payments.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Beginners often make errors that lead to miscommunication. Here are the most frequent ones and corrections.

Using aluguelquando instead of asking a clear question. Always use a question form like O aluguel inclui as contas?

Assuming condo fee covers all services. Ask explicitly which services are covered by condomínio.

Not clarifying who pays for the internet. Ask Quem paga a internet? to avoid surprises.

Forgetting to confirm payment methods. Ask Como eu pago? and whether you should pay via transfer, cash, or boleto (a common Brazilian bill).

Practical examples you might see in listings

Rental listings in Brazil often include short notes about utilities. Here are examples and what they mean.

Texto do anúncio: Aluguel R$ 1.200, condomínio incluso, água e luz à parte
Meaning: Rent R$ 1,200, condo fee included, water and electricity not included.

Texto do anúncio: Quarto mobiliado, contas inclusas
Meaning: Furnished room, bills included.

Texto do anúncio: Internet compartilhada, taxa única de R$ 50/mês
Meaning: Shared internet, single fee of R$ 50 per month.

Polite phrases and etiquette

Politeness helps your conversations go smoothly. Use simple courtesies when speaking to landlords or roommates.

Por favor – please. Add it to requests: As contas estão incluídas, por favor?

Obrigado / Obrigada – thank you. Use obrigado if you identify as male, obrigada if female.

Desculpe, pode repetir? – excuse me, can you repeat? Use this if you miss information.

Putting it all together: a realistic scenario

Imagine visiting an apartment. Here is a short dialogue using vocabulary and polite phrases a beginner can handle.

Você: Boa tarde. O aluguel inclui as contas?
Proprietário: Boa tarde. Não, não inclui. O condomínio está incluído, mas água e luz não.
Você: Quanto costuma dar de água e luz por mês?
Proprietário: Em média R$ 150 por mês para os dois, dependendo do consumo.
Você: As contas ficam no meu nome?
Proprietário: Você pode colocar no seu nome, ou me pagar e eu continuo no meu nome.

Quick checklist before signing a rental agreement

Use this short checklist so you do not overlook utilities when renting.

Confirm which utilities are included: água, luz, gás, internet, condomínio.

Ask how bills are divided if you share the place.

Check whether bills will be in your name or the landlord’s name.

Agree on payment methods and due dates.

Get important agreements in writing (email or contract).

Useful one-line phrases to memorize

Memorize a few one-liners that cover most situations.

As contas estão incluídas?

O aluguel inclui as contas?

Quem paga a internet?

As contas são divididas?

Conclusion

Asking about utilities in Brazilian Portuguese is essential when renting. Learn the key words like contas, incluído, and condomínio, practice simple questions such as As contas estão incluídas?, and prepare follow-ups about costs and payment methods. With these phrases and dialogues, beginners can confidently handle rental conversations and avoid surprises.