How to say “Are utilities included?” in Portuguese

Introduction

When renting or subletting in Brazil, one common question is whether utilities like water, electricity, and internet are included in the monthly rent. This article teaches beginner-friendly Brazilian Portuguese phrases and practical tips to ask and understand answers about utilities. Learn vocabulary, simple sentences, short dialogues, and common replies you can use in real situations.

Why this phrase matters

Knowing how to ask if utilities are included is essential when looking for an apartment, room, or short-term rental. It helps you avoid surprises in monthly costs and clarifies who pays for what. For beginners, the structure is simple and repeats useful words: aluguel (rent), contas (bills/utilities), incluso (included), and separado (separate).

Key vocabulary (Brazilian Portuguese)

As contas estão incluídas? — Are the utilities included?

aluguel — rent

contas — bills; utilities

incluso / incluídas — included

não incluso / não incluídas — not included

água — water

luz — electricity

internet — internet

gás — gas

condomínio — condo fee or building maintenance fee

separado — separate

valor — amount; price

Simple ways to ask Are utilities included?

Here are beginner-friendly variations you can use. The first example is emphasized for clarity.

As contas estão incluídas?

As contas estão incluídas no aluguel? — Are the utilities included in the rent?

O condomínio está incluído? — Is the condo fee included?

Água e luz estão inclusas? — Are water and electricity included?

A internet está incluída? — Is the internet included?

As despesas são pagas junto com o aluguel? — Are the expenses paid together with the rent?

How to understand common replies

Landlords or roommates will often answer simply. Learn the typical short replies and their meanings so you can respond or ask follow-up questions.

Sim, está incluído. — Yes, it is included.

Não, não está incluído. — No, it is not included.

Está incluído só o condomínio. — Only the condo fee is included.

Água e gás estão inclusos; luz é por sua conta. — Water and gas are included; electricity is your responsibility.

Internet já está paga. — Internet is already paid for.

Você precisa pagar a luz separado. — You need to pay the electricity separately.

Follow-up questions to clarify costs

After you ask if utilities are included, you may need more detail about which utilities and how much they cost. Use these beginner-friendly follow-ups.

Quais contas estão incluídas? — Which utilities are included?

Quanto costuma custar a luz por mês? — How much does electricity usually cost per month?

Tem algum valor médio para internet? — Is there an average amount for the internet?

Como a gente divide as contas? — How do we split the bills?

Quando as contas vencem? — When are the bills due?

Practical examples in rental contexts

Below are short, realistic situations where you would use these phrases. Each example is beginner-friendly and shows natural wording.

Example 1: Message to a landlord

Olá, estou interessado no apartamento. As contas estão incluídas no aluguel? Quais contas exatamente? Obrigado.

Example 2: Talking with a roommate

Oi, tudo bem? A internet será dividida entre nós? Quanto cada um paga?

Example 3: Asking during a viewing

Na visita: Boa tarde. Antes de fechar, queria saber se água e luz estão inclusas no preço.

Short dialogues for beginners

Dialogue 1: Viewing an apartment

Visitante: Olá, as contas estão incluídas no aluguel?
Locador: Não, o aluguel é só o aluguel. Água e gás estão inclusos, mas a luz é à parte.

Dialogue 2: Roommate chat

Você: A internet está incluída no valor do quarto?
Colega: Sim, a internet já está paga e nós dividimos a conta do gás.

Key grammar points for beginners

Understanding a few grammar points helps you form similar questions. The verb estar is used to ask about state or condition, so use it with inclusões and locations.

Form: As contas estão incluídas? — uses estar + past participle incluídas. Because contas is feminine plural, incluídas matches in gender and number.

If you ask about a single item, change the form: A internet está incluída? — internet is feminine singular, so incluída is used.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Mixing gender or number — If you ask about contas, use incluídas, not incluído. Always match gender and number between nouns and adjectives/participles.

Mistake 2: Using the wrong verb — Avoid using ter in place of estar for included. Prefer As contas estão incluídas? instead of As contas têm incluídas?.

Mistake 3: Not specifying which utilities — Ask specifically about água, luz, internet, gás, or condomínio so you get a clear answer.

Useful tips for real conversations

Tip 1: Say the full phrase slowly and clearly. Landlords or roommates may use quick speech; clear questions help avoid misunderstandings.

Tip 2: Take notes or ask for the exact amounts in reais to compare total monthly cost. Ask Quanto normalmente se paga? if you need average numbers.

Tip 3: Confirm who pays last month’s bills at move-in and how bill sharing works: Como vamos dividir as contas? is a practical question.

Short checklist before signing

Before you agree to a rental, check these items in Brazilian Portuguese and confirm answers.

As contas estão incluídas?

Quais contas estão incluídas?

Qual é o valor do condomínio?

Como vamos pagar a internet?

Existe contrato que explica as contas?

More sample sentences

O aluguel é R$ 1.200 por mês, as contas não estão incluídas. — The rent is R$1,200 per month, utilities are not included.

Tem deslocamento para pagar a energia ou a gente divide pelo número de moradores? — Do we split the electricity or divide by number of occupants?

O condomínio cobre limpeza e água? — Does the condo fee cover cleaning and water?

When someone asks you the same question

If a prospective tenant asks you, answer clearly and mention specifics. Use these starter replies.

Sim, todas as contas estão inclusas no valor do aluguel.

Não, só o condomínio está incluso; luz e internet são por conta do inquilino.

As contas são pagas a cada mês e dividimos igualmente entre os moradores.

How to handle complex cases

Sometimes utilities vary by season or usage. Ask for an average and if there are caps on consumption. Use these phrases to clarify limits or extra charges.

Existe um teto de consumo para a água? — Is there a consumption cap for water?

Se passar do valor combinado, como é a cobrança? — If consumption exceeds the agreed amount, how is the extra charged?

Practice tip for beginners

Practice forming the basic question with different utilities: replace contas with água, luz, internet, gás, or condomínio. Repeat aloud and use the short dialogues above as templates to role-play with a friend or language partner.

Conclusion

Asking if utilities are included is a small but powerful skill for anyone renting in Brazil. With a few key phrases, vocabulary, and follow-up questions, you can get clear answers and avoid surprises. Practice the sample sentences and dialogues, and remember to ask about which utilities are included and how bills are split before signing any rental agreement.