Rent an apartment in Shanghai- 10 Tips you need to know
There are 10 things you need to know when renting an apartment in Shanghai. For more information scroll down.
1. Get familiar with the location- subway/ grocery stores information about districts you can find here
Shanghai is a city with lots of shops, restaurants, food deliveries to make your stay comfortable. Just make sure you have good access to them. Location , location, location- it's part of the convenience for good living. If you should stay a longer time in Shanghai, check out the Subway system- often it's faster than taking a cab, especially during rush hours. Think of driving a scooter or bike- it's probably the fastest way to commute.
2. The cheapest apartments you find on Chinese websites. But have in mind the contract will be in Chinese
Chinese apartments are cheaper, but very difficult if the landlord/ agent doesn't speak English. Keep in mind you won't be able to tell on the phone if the water pipe's leaking...;)
3. Although some fees apply, agencies give you security
Agencies know the market as well the locations you want to live in. It's easier to let an agent look for an apartment and having the security to go back in the end if something has gone bad.
4. Avoid scams, they exist in Shanghai
In Shanghai it's no different to other countries. Scams happen here too.
5. Get a regular contract (and read it!)
In a regular contract there should be things mentioned like
6. Don't ask the landlord/ real estate agent/ current inhabitant of the apartment about disadvantages of the apartment (Chinese usually aren't critical, it's their culture
Chinese are usually not straightforward and mostly illegible in their body language. Even if you ask for a direction on the street, you'll get just any direction.
7. Hire a Ayi (cleaning lady) it's really worth it- around 20 RMB/h
As the salaries aren't equal with the countries where expats mostly come from (USA, GB, France, Germany, etc.) it's common to hire an Ayi. Many Ayis are looking on job websites for customers. Others are hired by agencies. To find Ayi-agencies, go to the links here.
8. Compare the actual prices on agency websites
As in every city, depending on the location the rent for similar apartments are higher or lower. As a thumb rule you can calculate with prices for median apartments around 4'000 RMB - 6'000 RMB for 1 Bedroom apartments. Around 6'000 RMB - 12'000 RMB for 2-3 Bedroom apartments. For bargains you won't pay more than 3'000 RMB, but these apartments won't be in such a good condition. High-end apartments are rented around 30'000 RMB per month.
9. Shared apartments saves you money- think of sharing the internet-/ electric-/ water-/ cleaning lady- bill
Living with friends can save you lot of money. The fix costs of utilities do not vary much, so the variable costs do not have such a big impact in the end months usage. Think of the internet costs there is one flat rate. But be aware if you do not know the flatmates before -they can scam you-
10. Expenses beside the monthly fee (deposit, electricity, water, internet,...)
In Shanghai the living costs are the highest in China but still lower than many western countries. Water tariffs are inexpensive (around RMB100 per 1,000 cubic meter). Due to the high usage of air conditioner in summer, the electricity bills can be around 100 RMB. For Internet/ TV the average is around 150 RMB per month.
- Get familiar with the location- subway/ grocery stores information about districts you can find here
- The cheapest apartments you find on Chinese websites. But have in mind, the contract will be in Chinese
- Although some fees apply, agencies give you security
- Avoid scams, they exist in Shanghai
- Get a regular contract (and read it!)
- Don't ask the landlord/ real estate agent/ current inhabitant of the apartment about disadvantages of the apartment (Chinese usually aren't critical, it's their culture
- Hire a Ayi (cleaning lady) it's really worth it- around 20 RMB/h
- Compare the actual prices on agency websites
- Shared apartments saves you money- think of sharing the internet-/ electric-/ water-/ cleaning lady- bill
- Expenses beside the monthly fee (deposit, electricity, water, internet,...)
1. Get familiar with the location- subway/ grocery stores information about districts you can find here
Shanghai is a city with lots of shops, restaurants, food deliveries to make your stay comfortable. Just make sure you have good access to them. Location , location, location- it's part of the convenience for good living. If you should stay a longer time in Shanghai, check out the Subway system- often it's faster than taking a cab, especially during rush hours. Think of driving a scooter or bike- it's probably the fastest way to commute.
2. The cheapest apartments you find on Chinese websites. But have in mind the contract will be in Chinese
Chinese apartments are cheaper, but very difficult if the landlord/ agent doesn't speak English. Keep in mind you won't be able to tell on the phone if the water pipe's leaking...;)
3. Although some fees apply, agencies give you security
Agencies know the market as well the locations you want to live in. It's easier to let an agent look for an apartment and having the security to go back in the end if something has gone bad.
4. Avoid scams, they exist in Shanghai
In Shanghai it's no different to other countries. Scams happen here too.
- Avoid intermediaries- they can show you an apartment, let you sign a contract, let you pay the money and disappear in the dark. Not only Chinese play this game! Some further inputs: here
- If the quoted location doesn't fit with google maps and the description there's a mayor alert.
- Check the email address/ company website. Should the email address end with a common [email protected] or [email protected], you may ask yourself why they use an email account like this.
- If you've found a real good housing offer it is either because you do not yet know the price range of apartments in Shanghai or you've discovered a real good scam
- Before you give any money, you should have seen the apartment and have the (right) keys in your hand.
- Red flag, if a landlord should live abroad and send you the keys via mail.
- Make sure there won't be a major (re-) construction going on while you want to stay in the apartment. Write it in your contract.
- Roommates are great. Except they clean the room even with your stuff. Make sure you have a copy of their ID. To avoid future conflicts, write down everything you have to share. Do not rent apartments from strangers who aren't living there. This would be the highest risk.
5. Get a regular contract (and read it!)
In a regular contract there should be things mentioned like
- name of landlord (look for his ID)
- address of the apartment, floor and room number
- deposit and monthly rental fee
- duration of the contract
- responsibility for damages
6. Don't ask the landlord/ real estate agent/ current inhabitant of the apartment about disadvantages of the apartment (Chinese usually aren't critical, it's their culture
Chinese are usually not straightforward and mostly illegible in their body language. Even if you ask for a direction on the street, you'll get just any direction.
7. Hire a Ayi (cleaning lady) it's really worth it- around 20 RMB/h
As the salaries aren't equal with the countries where expats mostly come from (USA, GB, France, Germany, etc.) it's common to hire an Ayi. Many Ayis are looking on job websites for customers. Others are hired by agencies. To find Ayi-agencies, go to the links here.
8. Compare the actual prices on agency websites
As in every city, depending on the location the rent for similar apartments are higher or lower. As a thumb rule you can calculate with prices for median apartments around 4'000 RMB - 6'000 RMB for 1 Bedroom apartments. Around 6'000 RMB - 12'000 RMB for 2-3 Bedroom apartments. For bargains you won't pay more than 3'000 RMB, but these apartments won't be in such a good condition. High-end apartments are rented around 30'000 RMB per month.
9. Shared apartments saves you money- think of sharing the internet-/ electric-/ water-/ cleaning lady- bill
Living with friends can save you lot of money. The fix costs of utilities do not vary much, so the variable costs do not have such a big impact in the end months usage. Think of the internet costs there is one flat rate. But be aware if you do not know the flatmates before -they can scam you-
10. Expenses beside the monthly fee (deposit, electricity, water, internet,...)
In Shanghai the living costs are the highest in China but still lower than many western countries. Water tariffs are inexpensive (around RMB100 per 1,000 cubic meter). Due to the high usage of air conditioner in summer, the electricity bills can be around 100 RMB. For Internet/ TV the average is around 150 RMB per month.