\t(Foreigners talking about their experiences of renting an apartment in China)<\/p>\n
\t(Apartment interiors)<\/p>\n
\tLance: <\/strong>Now as you are inspecting the apartment, make sure you ask the landlord what is included what isn’t included, OK? Heating, and a fee called \u7269\u4e1a\u8d39, which is the property’s maintenance and management fee, is covered by the landlord. The renter is responsible for electricity, which is pre-paid using a rechargeable card. Either you or the landlord will need to monitor the energy levels on these electricity meters, so make sure you find out where your electricity meter is.<\/p>\n \tLance:<\/strong> \u7535\u8868\u5728\u54ea\u513f\uff1f(Diànbi\u01ceo zài n\u01ceér?) \tLance:<\/strong> Remember when your card runs out power, your power will be shut off, because banks do all the recharging, and banks close at 5 p.m., you’ll need to wait until the next business day in order to recharge your card.<\/p>\n \tOne of the major differences you find when renting an apartment here in Beijing is the size of the bathroom, the bathroom facilities are usually a bit smaller than what you use back home. Of course one major difference is the shower. What you see here is not a raised platform but rather a drain that is built into the floor. Another major difference of course is there is no tub. Most bathrooms here in Beijing, well, throughout China can only be with a shower.<\/p>\n \t(Kitchen scenes)<\/p>\n \tLance:<\/strong> The kitchen is also very different. Expect to see two burners instead of four burners on the stovetop, or instead, an electric plug-in stovetop. Generally, there are no ovens in the apartments, so in most apartments you are unable to bake any food.<\/p>\n \tYou can ask your landlord to remove a specific piece of furniture if you don’t love it. In prior to moving in, make sure everything works, something is broken or needs to be fixed, have your landlord repair it prior to moving in.<\/p>\n \tRent is always harder to negotiate, unless you’re planning to sign a longer lease. And keep in mind the agent’s commission is usually one month’s rent. \tLandlord:<\/strong> \u60a8\u9700\u8981\u4ea4\u4e00\u4e2a\u6708\u7684\u62bc\u91d1\uff0c\u9884\u4ed8\u4e00\u5e74\u7684\u79df\u91d1\u3002(Nín x\u016byào ji\u0101o yí\u0261èyuè de y\u0101j\u012bn , yùfù yìnián de z\u016bj\u012bn.) \tLance:<\/strong> You should be able to negotiate to pay three to six months upfront. If you do decide to pay for six to twelve months as a security deposit, then you may be able to ask your landlord for 100-200 yuan off your monthly rent.<\/p>\n \tLance:<\/strong> Before you sign the contract or \u5408\u540c, make sure you understand everything, such as what happens if you break the lease, sublet, move out early, or what is and is not included. The contract that you sign should be in English. If the contract you are looking at is not in English, then ask for one.<\/p>\n \tCAPTIONED PIC2<\/p>\n \t(Caption: <\/strong>\u4e3b\u6301\u4eba\u84dd\u5929\uff08Lance\uff09\u5411\u623f\u4e1c\u7d22\u8981\u82f1\u6587\u5408\u540c\u3002Lance asks the landlord for a contract in English.)<\/p>\n \tLance:<\/strong> \u4f60\u80fd\u7ed9\u6211\u4e00\u4efd\u82f1\u6587\u7684\u5408\u540c\u5417\uff1f(N\u01d0 nén\u0261 \u0261\u011bi w\u01d2 yífèn y\u012bn\u0261wén de héton\u0261 m\u0251?) \tLance:<\/strong> At the end of the process, a fee or \u4e2d\u4ecb\u8d39 will be owed to the realtor. Usually, if the rent is below 4,000 RMB, you need to cover the entire cost of the fee, or you may be able to speak to the landlord. If the rent is above 4,000 RMB, the landlord may cover the entire cost. Usually, the fee amount is the same amount as one month’s rent. Now once you move in you will need to register with the local police department. Failure to do will result in a fine or perhaps something worse, so make sure you ask your landlord about this before you sign anything. Now let’s review what we’ve learned.<\/p>\n \tLance:<\/strong> A good deal of luck and patience will help you find an apartment in Beijing. Once you get settled in, all you’ll need to do is spruce it up, and throw a housewarming party. For Living Chinese, I’m Lance Crayon. (End)<\/p>\n \tLanguage points:
\tLandlord:<\/strong> \u5728\u8fd9\u91cc\u3002(Zài zhè l\u01d0.)
\tLance: <\/strong>Thank you.<\/p>\n
\tBut, remember, anything and everything is negotiable.<\/p>\n
\tLance:<\/strong> \u80fd\u4ea4\u534a\u5e74\u7684\u5417\uff1f(Nén\u0261 ji\u0101o bànnián de m\u0251?)
\tLandlord:<\/strong> \u53ef\u4ee5\u3002(Kéy\u01d0.)<\/p>\n
\tLandlord:<\/strong> \u53ef\u4ee5\u3002(Kéy\u01d0.)
\tLance:<\/strong> \u8c22\u8c22\u3002(Xièxiè.)<\/p>\n
\t<\/strong><\/p>\n
\t\u80fd\u4ea4\u534a\u5e74\u7684\u623f\u79df\u5417\uff1f \t<\/div>\n
\t\u4f60\u80fd\u7ed9\u6211\u4e00\u4efd\u82f1\u6587\u7684\u5408\u540c\u5417\uff1f \t<\/div>\n