Renting A Flat In China

[COPE2]

I don't come to this forum much, so I apologise if this question has been asked before, but I would like to know the rules of renting in China. In Britain, the minimum lease seems generally to be 6 months, and a lot of the flats are furnished. Is is the same in China? What's the commission? Are the chances of landlords stealing the deposit higher or lower than Britain? Cheers.

[gougou]

Pretty much completely depends on your contract. However, most landlords prefer leases of 6 months or more, most places are furnished, and most agents (in Beijing) will take one month's rent as a commission. The only time I didn't get my deposit back was when I canceled a contract prematurely (which happened just as it was stipulated in the contract).

[anonymoose]

In Shanghai at least, the agent takes 35% of a month's rent as commission.

[gougou]

In Beijing there's differences as well. For flats that cost more than RMB 4,000/month (at least that used to be the cut-off around 3 years ago), many agents will charge the home owner instead of the renter.

Do all agents charge 35% only in Shanghai?

[anonymoose]

In Beijing there's differences as well. For flats that cost more than RMB 4,000/month (at least that used to be the cut-off around 3 years ago), many agents will charge the home owner instead of the renter.

Do all agents charge 35% only in Shanghai?

The tenant pays 35% and the landlord also pays 35%. The most I've rented for is 3200 RMB/month, and the agent fee has always been the same. Whether it changes for higher amounts or not, I'm not sure.