Beijing: the present scenario
Earlier than to begin I want to share some ideas on the present scenario in Beijing. Simply so you realize what to anticipate.
- First in any respect, the standard requirements of Beijing flats are fairly poor. Even when the flat appears good, it doesn’t imply that’s good. For instance, a pal of mine simply rented a brand new house however, when she tried to have a bathe, the bathe field exploded. It most likely wasn’t constructed to get moist, I dunno.
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Beijing isn’t low cost because it was once, particularly when it comes all the way down to the lease. In 2009 the usual value for a flat with two bedrooms near the downtown – let’s say on the third ring, – was 2.500 RMB per 30 days.
On the finish of 2010 it was already tough to search out one thing for 3.500 RMB. These days you’re fortunate if you will get the identical house for 4.500 RMB.
My first house in Beijing
Discover an house on the internet
If you’re simply landed in China and are a bit misplaced, the quickest method to discover a flat or a room in a shared house is to take a look at the web sites in English language. I like to recommend The Beijinger and eChinacities.
There are a lot of different web sites in English. However I don’t suppose you’ll discover one thing until you might have a giant funds as they’re largely companies that target diplomats or expats who work for corporations that provide a ton of advantages.
The benefit of utilizing the web sites that I linked to is that you just’ll bypass the – typically horrible – Beijing’s companies. If you’re fortunate you could even discover a landlord or a roommate who speaks English!
The primary drawback is that the costs shall be a bit greater – even as much as 20% – as a result of these bulletins goal expats. Furthermore these deal disappear rapidly, particularly within the case of a room in a shared flat. So, when you discover one thing you want, take it straight away or will probably be gone quickly.
The opposite drawback is that the supply for expats is targeting Salitun, that’s the neighborhood of the embassies the place most of foreigners reside, and Wudaokou, that’s the place are positioned a very powerful universities such a Bei Da (Beijing College) or Tsinghua. Thus, if want to reside in a distinct zone you might have some troubles on discovering a suggestion in an English web site.
When you can converse Mandarin or know a Chinese language particular person that may aid you, then it is best to contemplate the potential for test the web sites in Chinese language language. I like to recommend 58.com, Soufun and Lebiao.
There you’ll discover cheaper flats. Even when in principle landlords can submit a suggestion by themselves, this market is dominated by the companies.
As for the web sites in English language, the perfect flats get rented quick. Furthermore you’ll must cope with “pretend bulletins,” that’s brokers that submit the images of a pleasant house even when what they received is way worse. Their aim is to satisfy up with you after which persuade you to lease a shitty house that no person needs.
I recommendation you to at all times ask to the agent whether or not the house corresponds to the one on the images and, within the case the reply is destructive, stroll away.
A trick to discover a low cost room in a shared house
Within the article we wrote about the right way to lease an house in Shanghai, we mentioned how one can exploit social web sites as Couchsurfing to search out different foreigners on workforce as much as discover an house.
You might have loads to achieve from it as discovering an affordable room in a shared house in China is admittedly tough. Conversely, when you workforce up with different two or three guys you possibly can lease a complete house for an affordable value as there are tons of empty flats.
Discover an house with an company: what to anticipate
There are some things it’s essential to know earlier than to search for an company:
- The 99% of brokers in Beijing can’t converse English. Therefore, when you can’t converse Mandarin, it’s higher when you search some assist.
- Nearly all of brokers are merely retarded. No offense to anyone, that is simply the best way it’s. Thus, if you discover a good agent, keep on with him (or her).
- Be able to pay money: in Beijing isn’t uncommon to pay an quantity equal to 5 months of lease the day you signal the contract (three months of lease, a month of deposit and the company charge, which regularly corresponds to your month-to-month charge).
- When you discover an house you want, take it. Foreigners in China are likely to look for a similar stuff (cleanness, a good kitchen and loo, large home windows and so forth). The reasonably priced flats which have these traits are uncommon so that they get rented quickly (typically in a few hour).
- Normally the contracts final for a yr. If you’re planning to remain on the town for a shorter interval than discover a roommate that wish to keep no less than a yr (will probably be simple to search out somebody that takes your room if you depart) or go for an company that specializes on brief time period contracts (they’re dearer although).
- Be affected person, very affected person. You aren’t in Florida. Beijing is one in all worst place on this planet to search out an house, however it’s not not possible (I’ve already moved 3 times). Don’t lose your cool, particularly if a Chinese language particular person helps you (she may take it personally and get harm).
The toilet of my second house in Beijing
Discover an house with an company: the steps it is best to observe
- Stroll across the neighborhood the place you want to reside (Wudaokou as an illustration) and search for an company. There are a lot so it shouldn’t be an issue.
- Ask for an house with the traits that you just want. Strive to enter element as a lot as you possibly can and ask to the agent if he has some images of the house. I particularly suggest you to specify that you really want a good house, clear and with rest room (or in the perfect case you’ll find yourself with a toilet just like the one on the picture under).
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When you don’t wish to lose an excessive amount of time, be well mannered however rigid. When you discover that the agent retains exhibiting you horrible flats, simply transfer on.
Many brokers will hold exhibiting you unacceptable flats, even once they know you gained’t take them. The thought is to “scare” you in order that, after visiting so many horrible flats, you’ll downgrade your requirements and accept an house that’s simply so-so.
Don’t fall for it. If the primary house is a catastrophe, don’t lose you calm and clarify once more what you need. If the second house can also be dangerous then it’s time to vary agent.
- Always remember to cut price a bit. In China is pretty frequent and, typically, it is best to get a reduction of about 1-10% (relying in your cut price expertise). A great way to get a greater value is to let the agent (or the owner) discover all of the little issues of the house (the furnishings is just too previous, there isn’t a television, the kitchen is bloody soiled and so forth).
That are the perfect companies of Beijing?
There are a ton of companies in Beijing. Nonetheless most of them belong to a few large firms.
The issue is that many companies don’t management any flats on their very own; they merely look on the web and act as intermediate between the wannabe tenant and the owner.
That is the primary motive for which, amongst pretend bulletins and brokers consistently on the lookout for flats to lease, discover a flat it’s so tough.
Attending to the purpose, for my part 我爱我家 (Wo Ai Wo Jia) is the Beijing’s firm that controls extra flats (however watch out as a result of at first they at all times attempt to persuade you to get a shitty flat). One other good firm is Century 21.
What are the bills of a flat (beside the lease)
In Beijing is kind of frequent to pay the lease every three months. You’ll additionally must pay a deposit value a month of lease. Don’t pay extra for the deposit. If the owner or the agent asks for extra it’s most likely a rip-off.
Whenever you discover a flat that you just like it’s essential to “safe” it by paying a sure sum of money that will range from 500 to five.000 RMB. At all times ask for a receipt, cut price on the value and keep in mind to low cost is that this cash from the primary lease as that is only a deposit to get the house.
The day after you’ll have to go to once more the house, confirm that all the pieces is working high-quality (aircon, fridge, sizzling water and so o), approve the doc that describes the state of the house (confirm that it corresponds to actuality when you want to see once more your deposit), signal the contract and pay on money (welcome to China!).
Normally the company will ask you for a charge that corresponds to what you pay for a month of lease. You’ll be able to typically get a reduction of 10-20% for reasonable flats and as much as 30% for costly ones. Don’t cut price too onerous on the company’s fee or the agent will attempt to get his cash in different methods (corresponding to growing your lease).
Extra typically, you’ll must pay the electrical energy, water, gasoline and web payments. Typically you’ll additionally must pay a charge issued by your constructing that’s wanted for cleansing and holding the compound secure. The whole quantity shouldn’t be greater than 200 RMB per 30 days (for every particular person).
Why do you want a daily contract?
There are two fundamental causes.
In China it’s obligatory to register to the native police station inside 24 hours you entered the nation (a delay of some days isn’t an issue although).
If you’re simply touring or reside on a scholar dorm you possibly can skip this step as there shall be somebody on the lodge (or a the dorm) that may inform the police.
Nonetheless when you renting an house you’ll must register your self. Right here you discover the main points of the process.
The second motive for which you want a contract is you could’t belief the owner. When you don’t have a contract what would you do if, let’s say, the owner decides to extend your lease? As a result of it occurs pretty typically.
When you received a authorized contact you possibly can simply inform them that he can go to the police and attempt to see what they are saying. However when you don’t have any contract you don’t have any authorized proper to remain on his home!
Furthermore, having a contract is commonly your solely probability to get again your deposit.
What needs to be written in your contract?
- When you aren’t in a position to learn in Chinese language it is best to discover somebody that may aid you as in Beijing the contracts are nearly at all times in Mandarin (in Shanghai it’s simpler to discover a contract in English). Don’t signal any contract with out understanding what it says!
- The identify of the owner needs to be talked about on the contract. You also needs to require to see his ID so that you’re positive that it’s the identical particular person.
- The handle of the house needs to be talked about on the contract (often on the primary web page).
- The lease charge, the deposit and the scheduling of the funds ought to seem on the contract.
- The lenght of the contract needs to be specified.
- The contract ought to states that the owner is liable for the extraordinary upkeep corresponding to fixing a damaged fridge and so forth.
- The contract ought to signifies that, within the case the owner asks you to depart earlier than the tip of the contract, he ought to pay a charge (comparable to no less than a month-to-month lease).
I ship you once more to the article about lease an house in Shanghai to examine the most typical scams you possibly can encounter whereas on the lookout for an house in China.
Steadily requested questions
Are you able to lease an house in China on a vacationer visa?
When you’re a “pal” of the owner and don’t “pay lease”, it’s not required to be registered as a rental house. Whenever you go to an area police station to register your new handle, fill in that you just’re dwelling at a pal’s place, and don’t lease a unit/room. You’ll additionally want to offer details about the owner corresponding to his or her identify and the ID card quantity.
Nonetheless, remember that if your organization/faculty can pay your lease, it’s worthwhile to get the invoices (fapiao, 发票) for the month-to-month funds. Thus, it’s worthwhile to have a rental unit, and “dwelling with a pal” is usually not an choice if you wish to get reimbursed.
How a lot does it value to lease an house in Beijing?
When you’re transferring as a single particular person and wish to share an house within the central areas, be ready to pay all the pieces between 400 – 800 US {dollars} for a room. You might want to pay as a lot as 1,000 US {dollars} if you’d like your personal 1-bedroom house within the metropolis heart. A studio will set you again much more.
A 3-bedroom house, alternatively, will value you round 2,000 – 3,000 US {dollars} within the metropolis heart.
When you transfer as an expat with household, be ready to pay all the pieces between 3,000 – 5,000 US {dollars}, relying in your preferences and requirements. By comparability, in 2016 I rented a 1-bedroom serviced house in one of many prime areas in Shanghai (Xujiahui) and paid round 2,800 US {dollars}. At the moment, I used to be an expat and my firm paid my lease.
When you search for items exterior of town heart, you’ll save round -30% of the prices talked about above.
Ought to I purchase an house as a substitute of renting one in Beijing?
China’s actual property market is in a bubbly part and costs have elevated immensely over the previous 5-10 years.
How a lot does an house value in Beijing?
Photograph Credit: 
Bustling Beijing by Trey Ratcliff