Job Discussion Forums

[MADAMELEACH]

[size=12]I have not yet found a place to live but

ANy knowledge about whether us teachers have to hand over two months deposit plus one month in advance or just the one?

Saying this, surely the more you hand over the less you are likely to get back! -depending on whether the landlord/owner keep their word[/size].

[The Ever-changing Cleric]

do you have a job yet? if not, 1. many employers either provide a place for you gratis, 2. or else they give you a monthly housing allowance. if you're worried about losing money on a security deposit for an apartment, find a job where 1 or 2 above applies.

as for security deposits, i've never had to pay one, so can't advise you on that.

[Jordean]

Here in BJ I pay one month deposit, and usually pay three months' rent in advance. Some places try to get six months or a year in advance, but that seems like an invitation to trouble.

Is your employer helping at all with this process? If not, try to enlist some local support once you're on the ground, to help smooth these things out.

The first of many novelties you will face.

[happigur1]

I paid 6 months in advance and one month deposit. The reasoning for this was that I lived in Nanjing and the boss lived in Shanghai. When I moved out he returned the entire deposit without even really looking at the apartment (lucky for me). The one problem I ran into was that the landlord started having people come over to look at the place while I was still living there. That wouldn't bother me so much if only Chinese people come on time!

[thefuzz]

Depends on where you are in China. Some schools provide housing, but most training centers don't so you'll have to find your own place. A word of advice: take a Chinese friend or someone from the school when you go apartment hunting as it will make things a whole lot easier, plus if the Chinese friend does all the talking you will not be charged "foreign prices" when renting. I've lived and rented apartments in three cities:

1. Shanghai: 3 months deposit and 1 month rent upfront.

2. Guangzhou: 2 months deposit and 1 month rent upfront.

3. Shenzhen: 2 months deposit and 1 month rent upfront.

Depending on the place, this might be quite an expense, so get a job first and rent later. In some cities there are apartments that you can rent from month to month without deposits, but are generally much more expensive.

When renting you will need to sign a minimum 1 year contract. If for some reason you break the contract (leave early, for example) the landlord will keep all the deposits.

Apartments are fully furnished and monthly rental prices depend on how well they are furnished. A new place with LCD TV's and other gadgets may be quite expensive, so always ask the rental agency for an apartment that is not lavishly furnished (it will be cheaper).

Also, on top of all the deposits and rent, you will also need to pay an agency fee if you use their services.

[MADAMELEACH]

Thanks so far for the information regarding rents/deposits.

I'm still researching the costs before I go.

Feel free to update me about rents in SHENZHEN/Shanghai/ Tianjin/Beejing in particular

or even Hainan.

[Molson]

[chinatwin88]

3000 per month paid each month with 500 deposit.

[Sonnibarger]

2 months deposit plus 3 months rent.. grand total of 5000rmb... make sure you put away a little cash for rent every month... paying 3 months rent from one paycheck can make for one shitty month

[Molson]

[Lobster]

I think that 1 month's deposit and 3 months' advance rent is enough. If you negotiate, you should be able to make this agreement. You're probably already paying 20% more for the place than a Chinese person would.

Have your home phone cut off a month before you move out. That will help you settle the deposit refund more easily.

RED