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Spelunker · Joined: 03 Nov 2013 Posts: 392

But where is the nearest housing association or citizens advice in China?

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

Deposits in the UK are now put into an independent third person who will decide what is a fair payout. If your landlord does not then they will be due 3 times that to you.

In China the landlord keeps it and basically 'decides' how much things will cost.

It's funny that they provided me a broken bed, so I bought a new one[?!] and they then tried to charge me for the old bed, even though I was leaving the newer one. Same as when the lock was broken so I paid for a new lock[made in the UK too!] and she tried to charge me for the old lock.

I've never once got more than 50% of a deposit back. Chinese landlords have no idea of 'wear and tear' and if they buy poor quality furnishings that break it's upto you to replace them apparently.

Jmbf · Joined: 29 Jun 2014 Posts: 663

Shanghai Noon · Joined: 18 Aug 2013 Posts: 589 Location: Shanghai, China

I'll bite. I've rented four places in China. I've never had any problems getting my money back from the landlord.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

I have always just not paid the last part of rent as the deposit covers it. If they have an issue they can bring it up after that.

That is in three different places. The landlord I have now is pretty nice, anytime something breaks we just call him and tell him the price to fix and take it off the next rent. As far as changing locks, that is insane, all Chinese people (well people in general) switch the lock immediately when renting a new place. You want other people with keys to your flat? Did you not give them the keys when you left or something?

Anyway, I am sure there are jerk landlords out there, I have been lucky. I think putting a deposit in a third party's hand is a bit of an over reach. It is your property you are letting out, who the hell is this third party and what is their agenda.

joe30 · Joined: 07 Jul 2016 Posts: 112

The reason for the third party deposit rules introduced in the last few years in the UK was to put an end to scumbag landlords keeping money that wasn't theirs.

I'd still just not pay the last months rent though. Been burned too many times by landlords, as far as I'm concerned they're all dodgy as *beep*.

Just get housing included in your contract, that way there's no rent, deposits etc to worry about.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

My point was there is no reason to let out your property if someone else gets to set the standards of the tenant. I grew up watching my mom rent from people who were not applaudable, but I would never ask someone to give up their right to their property to a third party. Kind of the rub of being poor, you can't do s--- except leave to better places. That is a whole other can of worms though.

The provided accommodation might not be what you desire either. After 5 years in the same place I got hit by some s---, they tried to steal all my friend's stuff when he went back to the UK, they told my wife they were only paid to clean for one person, and they tried to tell me it was unacceptable to have a gas oven. Moved out within the month. No issues since.

joe30 · Joined: 07 Jul 2016 Posts: 112

I don't see any issue with a third party setting the standard for what qualifies as 'wear and tear' 'damage' etc. The alternative is letting some scumbag deduct money for non existent damages. This happened all the time, hence why the laws had to be changed to begin with. The landlords created the situation in the UK now, it was 100% their own doing, no sympathy at all.

asiannationmc · Joined: 13 Aug 2014 Posts: 1342

I'm curious ...is there appeal process if one or both parties don't agree with the finding of the arbitrator .... and how is this funded ... though taxes or by a association.

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

Ok, when you check an apartment and then contract with the owner it makes sense. You agree what is broken and what is not. Not broken before and broken after gets paid, unless you contract a different way. Third party could claim all they want and get paid for it.

The bear · Joined: 16 Aug 2015 Posts: 483

joe30 · Joined: 07 Jul 2016 Posts: 112

Non Sequitur · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 4724 Location: China

NZ has the same situation. It's government run and I expect that interest on the bonds held fund most of the cost.
Again in NZ, landlords brought the solution on their own heads.

LarssonCrew · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 1308

UK is same, and to be honest when I was at university I ended up getting about 10% of my deposit back in total the first place, the rest no problems but I guess now there is a neutral corner.

Strange thing is I've heard foreigners getting ripped off about deposits and refusing to move[what else can you do?]. Most landlords take the deposit as basically being for free and a 13th month free, so in future I may just refuse to pay the last months rent as mentioned.

joe30 · Joined: 07 Jul 2016 Posts: 112

It's the best way. No matter how 'nice' the landlord seems, people can turn into jerks pretty quick when money is involved, so I'd never pay that final month. If they think there's actual damage to the property, they can discuss it with me, but now I start with the negotiating advantage as I actually have the money in my account rather than it being in theirs.

A similar but related thing - never agree to a pay date too far in advance the next month unless the employer is totally legit (i.e. an international school, or a joint-venture uni that actually gives a shit about their reputation). One week (i.e. you get paid for January by AT THE LATEST February 7th) is the max I would ever do, otherwise you end up with that situation where an employer can owe you for 7 weeks work then try and stiff you at the end of the contract. Also means if the work place environment is shit you can do a runner and they only got an extra week out of you, not two or three.