Spanish Phrase
Tienes que pagar la fianza antes de mudarte.
Meaning
You must pay the security deposit before you move into the new place. The sentence conveys a mandatory step in the rental process.
When to use
Use this phrase when discussing the conditions of a rental agreement, reminding a roommate or tenant about the payment deadline, or negotiating the move‑in timeline.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tienesquepagarlafianzaantesdemudarte
Obligación con 'tener que'
'Tienes que' + infinitivo expresses a personal obligation, similar to 'you have to' in English.
Infinitivo simple
'pagar' is the infinitive form of the verb 'pagar' (to pay) and follows the construction 'tener que'.
Artículo definido
'la' is the feminine singular definite article that agrees with 'fianza' (deposit).
Preposición 'antes de'
'antes de' introduces a temporal clause and is always followed by a verb in infinitive form.
Verbo reflexivo en infinitivo
'mudarte' is the infinitive of the reflexive verb 'mudarse' (to move), with the pronoun 'te' attached.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cuándo puedes mudarte al apartamento?
When can you move into the apartment?
Tienes que pagar la fianza antes de mudarte.
You have to pay the deposit before you move.
✕Common Mistakes
Ser que pagar la fianza antes de mudarte.
Use 'tener que' for personal obligations, not 'ser'.
antes de mudarse
When the verb follows 'antes de', keep it in infinitive and attach the reflexive pronoun.
pagar fianza antes de mudarte.
Do not omit the article; 'fianza' needs the definite article 'la' in this context.
↔Alternatives
Debes pagar la fianza antes de mudarte.
You must pay the deposit before you move.
Es necesario que pagues la fianza antes de mudarte.
It is necessary that you pay the deposit before you move.
Hay que pagar la fianza antes de mudarse.
One has to pay the deposit before moving.
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries, landlords require a security deposit (fianza) equal to one or two months' rent. It is usually paid upfront, before the tenant receives the keys. The amount and the conditions for its return are often detailed in the contrato de alquiler, so always read the contract carefully.