星级典句:
第一句:I'd like to rent a one-bed room apartment.
我想租一室一厅的公寓。
A: What kind of apartment would you like to rent?
你想租什么样的公寓呢?
B: I'd like to rent a one-bed room apartment.
我想租一室一厅的。
第二句:What utilities am I responsible for?
我要负担哪些公共设施?
A: By the way, what utilities am I responsible for?
我要负担哪些公共设施?
B: You have to pay for the electricity and phone calls.
你要付电费和电话费。
utilities 泛指一般的公共设施及水电煤气,一般租房是不包括 utilities 的,水电通常还是自己另外再向当地的水电公司去申请。
所以租房子时免不了要先问:“Are utilities included?” 有包含水电吗?
或是 “What utilities am I responsible for?” 我要负担什么样的公共设施?
因为每个地方的规定不同,例如有些地方是免费但电要自己负担,还有些地方是法律规定房东冬天一到要供应暖气,但费用由谁负担则不妨先弄清楚。