How to Rent an Apartment in China Before You Arrive

1. Decide whether you need to rent before you land

Many people book a short stay for the first one or two weeks and view apartments in person. Renting before you arrive makes sense when your school or employer expects you to move straight in, when you arrive with family, or when the city is busy at that time of year. If you do rent remotely, the steps below reduce the risk.

2. Shortlist on the platforms locals and expats use

Use the major rental platforms and established expat agencies in your city, and ask your employer or school which agencies their staff have used. Treat listings with unusually low rents, stock photos or no exact address as a warning sign, not a bargain.

3. Ask the agent the right questions

• The exact address: district, compound, building and unit number.
• Whether the person you're dealing with is the owner, the owner's agent or a sublessor.
• The rent, the deposit and how many months are paid up front, and the agent's fee.
• What is included: management fee, internet, furniture and appliances.
• Whether the landlord will help with your police accommodation registration.

4. See it live, not in photos

Ask for a live video call, not pre-recorded clips. The camera should start outside, at the street sign and the building number, then walk to the unit without cutting away. Ask them to open taps, switch on the air conditioning, show the view from each window and the stairwell. An agent who won't do this is telling you something.

5. Get an independent look if the stakes are high

The agent is paid when you sign. If you're committing to a year's lease or a large deposit, an independent visitor who works for you, not the landlord, is worth the cost. That is what a Property Check is.

6. Pay at the right moment

Don't pay a deposit before the address, the unit and the contract all match the person you're paying. Pay into an account in the landlord's or agency's name, keep every receipt, and get the contract before or at the time you pay.

7. Register when you move in

Foreigners in China must register their place of residence with the local police within 24 hours of arriving at the address. Many cities let you do this online; in Shanghai, for example, through the city's online accommodation registration system or the Suishenban app. Your landlord or agent can help.

Questions

Sources

• Shanghai: Accommodation registration (Shanghai government)

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules differ by city and change; check with the local authorities or a qualified lawyer.