questions about renting a place in China

[panda23]

Since the dorms at my school are apparently full, they want me to rent a place during my Chinese study next semester (I will be applying to a master's program at another school for this fall so registering for a year of Chinese now is impractical). My questions are as follows:

1. How hard is it to get a six month rental contract? The univ staff say its possible, but other laowai forums seem to say its not always easy.

2. Do I have to first do the HK visa run or get the school to convert my tourist visa, and then look for places, or can I find a place first and then get the new visa after (not much point in enrolling in the univ if I can't get a place to live)?

3. What's the best way to go about actually finding a place to rent (nothing big, something resembling what I'd get in a dorm is good enough as long as there's some security)? I've found some local websites (in Chinese) with rental listings, but have no idea if just picking a few that look good and calling the mobile number they give is a smart approachh or not.

[abcdefg]

How hard is it to get a six month rental contract?

A six month contract in Chongqing should not be a problem. In Kunming it's definitely not. Real estate agents (and landlords) will often prefer renting for a whole year, just like a street vendor prefers that you buy a kilogram of his oranges instead of only a handful.

What's the best way to go about actually finding a place to rent...?

What I do each year is just go to one or more neighborhoods where I would like to live and ask agents to show me what they have available nearby that meets my specs. Using classified ads has been a waste of time for me, though I know some other foreigners prefer it. I wind up going on lots of time consuming wild goose chases when I try to do it that way.

[roddy]

You've not even told us which city you're going to. . .

[panda23]

What I do each year is just go to one or more neighborhoods where I would like to live and ask agents to show me what they have available nearby that meets my specs.

how would you know where to look for the agents if you've never been to the area before?

You've not even told us which city you're going to.

as it says below my username, i'm going to chongqing

additional note: if the total cost is around what the foreign student dorms cost, that'd be great, and i dont really need a kitchen as eating out in China isnt very expensive

[Matty]

Without knowing your dormitory costs, it's hard to say. I've seen dormitories from 400 - 1500 per month, I'm not familiar with Chongqing, but depending on the dormitory costs, it could be cheaper, or more expensive to live outside. In my previous case, much cheaper to live off campus.

[abcdefg]

how would you know where to look for the agents if you've never been to the area before?

I first figure out desirable areas, based on considerations like proximity to things I want to do and places I want to go, traffic being heavy or light, whether the area is old or modern, whether it is mainly commercial or residential, availability of convenient public transit, and so on. I talk to local friends to get their thoughts and experiences. A realtor won't help you with this part of the process.

After that it is easy to just walk around to real estate agencies 地产 located in your targeted zones, look at the ads pasted outside their door and ask what they have available. The outside the door ads are often not current, so it is essential to ask as as well as just looking. Some leg work is always required.

In the China cities I've lived in, there are no "multiple listing services" and each agent has a different supply of places for rent even if they are located right next door to each other. In years past I have taken a Chinese friend to help with negotiations. By now I can do it alone, although going with a local is still helpful.

Footnote: I know nothing about university dorms, their facilities or costs. I'm not a student and my requirements may well be different from yours. So I cannot help with the last part of your query. One idea does come to mind that might help you meet the constraints of a tight budget, and that is to share an off-campus apartment with one or more other students. Usually much cheaper than renting a flat alone.

[panda23]

Without knowing your dormitory costs, it's hard to say. I've seen dormitories from 400 - 1500 per month, I'm not familiar with Chongqing, but depending on the dormitory costs, it could be cheaper, or more expensive to live outside. In my previous case, much cheaper to live off campus.

the dorms were going to cost 4800RMB/semester

is renting in China like in the West where you always move in at the beginning of the month?

finally, how many days before I want to move in should I start looking (the minumum)? and if the visa I receive in HK is less than 6 months and thus has to be extended/converted within China, would this prohibit me from signing a rental contract for 6 months?

[abcdefg]

is renting in China like in the West where you always move in at the beginning of the month?

No. Any time that you and the landlord agree upon is fine.

finally, how many days before I want to move in should I start looking (the minumum)?

At least a week. Sometimes it takes more. Time is your friend in the rental process. Start as early as you can.

and if the visa I receive in HK is less than 6 months and thus has to be extended/converted within China, would this prohibit me from signing a rental contract for 6 months?

No. Nobody cares about your visa except you and the PSB.

[Lu]

In my part of the West you can also move in at different parts of the month, as long as you and the landlord agree.

If there is a foreigners' website/magazine in Chongqing, you may want to check that out too. For your situation, sharing an apartment with some other people would be a good solution, and they would likely also not mind that you only stay for 6 months.

[icebear]

If there is a foreigners' website/magazine in Chongqing, you may want to check that out too. For your situation, sharing an apartment with some other people would be a good solution, and they would likely also not mind that you only stay for 6 months.

But keep in mind that you will likely face higher rates looking at websites targeting foreigners. I think the choosing a neighborhood and walking around idea is better for several reasons. Perhaps also consider posting ads at your university (if off campus living is common among students - I've heard it can be in Beijing, but no idea about other cities).

[Lu]

I mean forums and such places where people look for roommates. From what I see in Beijing at least, people seem to pay a fair price that way.