Hungarian for Renting a Home: Useful Words and Phrases

Know what to say when renting a home in Hungary

Arrange a viewing in Hungarian.

Ask about rent, bills and deposits.

Explain household problems to your landlord.

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A property viewing involves more than understanding the word for “apartment”. You may need to ask when you can move in, check what a payment includes or explain a problem to your landlord.

This guide teaches Hungarian for those rental conversations. You will find useful vocabulary, questions, possible replies and messages you can adapt. Start with the section that matches your next conversation.

For guidance on viewings, deposits and rental agreements, use our guide to renting a home in Hungary.

The short answer

Start with the Hungarian you need for your next rental conversation. Practise asking about availability, monthly costs and the agreement, then learn the replies you might hear. Keep a few clear phrases ready for reporting problems to your landlord.

Recognise the main rental words

These words help you identify what an advertisement or landlord message is about.

Hungarian	English meaning
kiadó lakás	apartment to rent
albérlet	rental accommodation in everyday usage
bérbeadó	landlord or lessor
bérlő	tenant
tulajdonos	owner
bérleti díj / lakbér	rent
kaució	security deposit
bérleti szerződés	rental agreement
közös költség	shared building charge
rezsi	utility or running costs

The everyday word albérlet is widely used when people talk about renting. In an agreement, you may see the more formal terms bérbeadó and bérlő. Notice the difference between the person renting out the property and the person renting it.

For cost labels, check what the speaker means by rezsi. The word alone does not identify every charge.

Practise arranging a viewing before you contact a landlord.

Ask about availability and arrange a viewing

The examples use polite language suitable for a landlord or agent you do not know. When speaking directly to that person, forms such as tudná keep the request formal and polite.

Hungarian	English meaning
Érdeklődni szeretnék a kiadó lakásról.	I would like to enquire about the apartment for rent.
Megvan még a lakás?	Is the apartment still available?
Mikor lehet megnézni a lakást?	When can I view the apartment?
Meg tudná adni a pontos címet?	Could you give me the exact address?
Mikortól költözhető a lakás?	From when is the apartment available to move into?

You might receive these replies:

Hungarian	English meaning
Igen, még kiadó.	Yes, it is still available to rent.
Sajnos már kiadtuk.	Unfortunately, we have already rented it out.
Azonnal költözhető.	It is available to move into immediately.
Október elsejétől.	From the first of October.

Practise the replies as well as the questions. Recognising már kiadtuk tells you that the property is no longer available, even if you miss the rest of the sentence.

Describe the home you need

Use lakást keresek, meaning “I am looking for an apartment”, with a specific requirement.

Hungarian	English meaning
Bútorozott lakást keresek.	I am looking for a furnished apartment.
Két hálószobás lakást keresek.	I am looking for an apartment with two bedrooms.
Legalább egy évre szeretném kibérelni.	I would like to rent it for at least a year.
Kisállatot lehet tartani?	Are pets allowed?
Van lift az épületben?	Is there a lift in the building?
Milyen fűtés van a lakásban?	What type of heating does the apartment have?

Keep szoba and hálószoba separate in your vocabulary. Szoba means “room”. Hálószoba specifically means “bedroom”. Asking for két hálószoba makes your need for two bedrooms clearer.

Other listing words include bútorozatlan, meaning “unfurnished”, and gépesített, meaning “equipped with appliances”. You can ask Milyen gépek vannak a lakásban? to find out which appliances are there.

Discuss rent and other payments

Learn these as complete questions so you can ask about one amount at a time.

Hungarian	English meaning
Mennyi a havi bérleti díj?	How much is the monthly rent?
Mennyi a közös költség?	How much is the shared building charge?
Mit tartalmaz ez az összeg?	What does this amount include?
A rezsi benne van az árban?	Are utility costs included in the price?
Mennyi kauciót kell fizetni?	How much deposit must be paid?
Mikor kell fizetni a lakbért?	When must the rent be paid?
Lehet átutalással fizetni?	Can I pay by bank transfer?

Listen for havonta, meaning “per month”, külön, meaning “separately”, and benne van, meaning “it is included”.

For example, A rezsit külön kell fizetni means “Utility costs must be paid separately”. Kéthavi kaució means “a deposit equal to two months’ rent”. These are examples of language you may hear, not standard terms for every property.

Ask for the agreement and clarify a point

These phrases help you continue the conversation without agreeing before you understand.

Hungarian	English meaning
El tudná küldeni előre a szerződést?	Could you send the agreement in advance?
Szeretném átolvasni, mielőtt aláírom.	I would like to read it through before I sign it.
Mit jelent ez a pont a szerződésben?	What does this clause in the agreement mean?
Mennyi a felmondási idő?	How long is the notice period?
Mikor kapom vissza a kauciót?	When will I get the deposit back?

Recognising the words helps you ask questions. It does not mean you can assess the legal effect of the whole agreement. Arrange qualified help when you need a contract interpreted.

Report a household problem clearly

Name the problem and its location. The following examples go beyond saying that something is not working.

Hungarian	English meaning
Csöpög a csap a konyhában.	The tap is dripping in the kitchen.
Eldugult a mosogató.	The kitchen sink is blocked.
Nem záródik rendesen az ablak.	The window does not close properly.
Elromlott a mosógép.	The washing machine has broken down.
Kit hívjak a javítás miatt?	Who should I call about the repair?
Mikor jön a szerelő?	When is the repair technician coming?

For an ordinary repair request, you could send:

Jó napot kívánok! Csöpög a csap a konyhában. Csatolok egy fényképet. Meg tudná írni, mikor jön a szerelő? Kedden délután itthon vagyok. Köszönöm a segítségét!

Good day. The tap is dripping in the kitchen. I am attaching a photo. Could you let me know in writing when the repair technician is coming? I am at home on Tuesday afternoon. Thank you for your help.

Kedden délután means “on Tuesday afternoon”. Change the availability sentence to match your schedule, and only mention an attachment if you are sending one.

Practise a short rental conversation

Read both roles aloud, then cover the English and repeat the exchange.

You: Mikortól költözhető a lakás?

From when is the apartment available to move into?

Landlord: Október elsejétől.

From the first of October.

You: A rezsi benne van az árban?

Are utility costs included in the price?

Landlord: Nem, a rezsit külön kell fizetni.

No, utility costs must be paid separately.

You: El tudná küldeni előre a szerződést?

Could you send the agreement in advance?

Landlord: Igen, elküldöm e-mailben.

Yes, I will send it by email.

Next, practise reporting a different problem using the sentences above. Your goal is to ask a relevant question, recognise the answer and explain what you need next.

Practise the questions you need and the replies you may hear.

Learn the Hungarian you need for your rental conversations

In my personalised Hungarian lessons, we can practise property enquiries, landlord messages and conversations about your home. We can work on the questions you need and the replies you find difficult to follow.

Book a free briefing call and tell me which rental conversations you want to practise.

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Prepare for your next rental conversation

Practise asking questions, understanding replies and writing landlord messages in personalised Hungarian lessons.

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