Lance: 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. 

(Foreigners talking about their experiences of renting an apartment in China)(Apartment interiors)Lance: 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 物业费, 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 wher your electricity meter is. 

Lance: Moving to any city in the world, though exciting and new, comes with its share of frustrations and concerns. Topping the list is finding a place to call home. In a city like Beijing, the more you know, the better-off you will be.