Job Discussion Forums

MADAMELEACH · Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 46 Location: WELLINGTON

I have been TOLD by a prospective employer that I need to fork out

3 months rent + 1month rent (collateral) whatever collateral means.

This, I have been told is the start up costs for accomodation.

Do we all have to find this kind of money when starting up in Shanghai or are we being fooled? Mad

I simply cannot believe it is true that 3 months deposit plus one month full rent is required.

I have been around the block a while in a variety of Asian countries to know this simply cannot be -what is your experience? Appreciate it. Wink

daCabbie · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244

That's average.

Some places/cities the market demands 6 months up front.

Shanghai is not a city for newbies. Work you way up to it. The investment is worth it in the end. No, I do not live there.

Good luck. A second tier city can be a simpler move.

choudoufu · Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 3325 Location: Mao-berry, PRC

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

Sounds normal enough; had a friend in Nanjing with the same deal. His landlady would not accept one month's rent at a time after the first three months either. She wanted it after every 3 months. Guess it was always a bit painful handing over that much at once, but then no worries for another 3 months.

slareth · Joined: 29 Jun 2010 Posts: 82 Location: Shandong

knight4ever · Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Posts: 49 Location: Shenzhen

Nothing unusual about the deposits. In Shenzhen, almost all landlords require 2 months deposit up front plus the first month's rent to move in. You can negotiate price with most landlords. When you move out you will get your deposit money back. Just remember, cash is king in China.

MADAMELEACH · Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Posts: 46 Location: WELLINGTON

Well how about one month deposit and the one month rent in advance?

Possible in Shanghai or elsewhere in China?

I think it is so I am going to hold out for it. Wink

daCabbie · Joined: 02 Sep 2007 Posts: 244

Why not just stay where you are?

Mr. English · Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Posts: 298 Location: Nakuru, Kenya

In Guangzhou the standard is first month's rent plus a deposit of two months' rent when you move in. Many landlords are willing to negotiate on the amount of rent, but few are willing to negotiate on the 1 + 2 arrangement.

yaramaz · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 1:51 am Post subject:

I've lived in 3 flats so far in Shanghai, both in Pudong and in Puxi. I've managed to negotiate the deposit/initial rent payment down for all three. My current landlord asked for 2 months deposit and two months rent... and we ended up with 1 month deposit and an initial payment of the first two months (and after that, one month at a time). The other two flats were very similar. I've never paid more than 1 mon. deposit and 2 months down. If they ask for three or more, negotiate. It's not unreasonable.