onebir Posted August 9, 2006 at 07:21 AM Report Posted August 9, 2006 at 07:21 AM Ok, so i rented a flat for RMB3100 per month, 6m contract starting beginning of June. I paid 1 months deposit and 3 months rent in advance. Just now, 2 months after moving in, i had to pay another 3 months rent, because the contract specificies the rent is payable 1 month in advance. This wasn't at all clear to me when i signed the contract - although i did ask them to explain it line by line... But at least i could get the cash. Irritatingly, now the letting agent/landlord has 5 months worth of my money (the deposit, 1m of unused rent from the inital payment and the 3 months i just paid). So if you rent a place in china - clarify exactly when the subsequent rental payments will be or you risk similar problems... Quote
roddy Posted August 9, 2006 at 07:27 AM Report Posted August 9, 2006 at 07:27 AM That's odd - I've always paid quarterly when due, rather than one month before due. Quote
zhwj Posted August 9, 2006 at 10:42 AM Report Posted August 9, 2006 at 10:42 AM My rent is due 15 days before the actual date, according to the contract, and the rental agency has called us several days before that to see if we'll be coming in to pay. I imagine with a month lead time you'll have to work everything out carefully when you move out to avoid losing a month's rent in the confusion. Quote
gougou Posted August 9, 2006 at 04:04 PM Report Posted August 9, 2006 at 04:04 PM I've had the same specification in my last contract. It does get confusing when trying to see how much money is outstanding, but seems to be a rather standard clause (as it was a fairly big 中介 company) Quote
onebir Posted August 10, 2006 at 05:07 AM Author Report Posted August 10, 2006 at 05:07 AM it does seem to be a standard clause. i asked about why they do it like that. it seems the deposit is typically worth less than the furniture and fittings, and sometimes people run away just before the second payment, taking the furniture etc with them. that leaves the agent having to shell out for new furniture and losing rent because the flat's empty for a while... maybe they trust roddy ;-) Quote
roddy Posted August 10, 2006 at 05:12 AM Report Posted August 10, 2006 at 05:12 AM I've never rented via an agency, always signed contracts directly with the landlord. I can see why it might make sense for an agent - effectively it means they've got a two month deposit, but the tenant doesn't need to come up with the extra month until two months in. Or something like that, it's confusing Quote
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