Housing

Yes - police registration is legally required within 24 hours of moving to any new address. While day-to-day enforcement is rare, the registration slip is required for visa renewals, residence permit applications, and bank account openings. Without it, your visa renewal will be delayed or denied. Most landlords are familiar with the process and will accompany you to the local police station. Hotels handle registration automatically.

Yes, with restrictions. Foreigners who have lived and worked in China for at least 1 year can purchase one residential property for self-use. You cannot buy investment properties or multiple units. The purchase process requires your work permit, tax records, and a notarized statement that you own no other property in the city. Mortgage financing is available but typically requires a 30–40% down payment for foreigners. Many expats choose to rent given the complexity and the uncertain property market.

Verify: the landlord's ID and property ownership certificate (房产证); working condition of AC units, hot water, and appliances; water pressure and drainage; condition of walls and floors (photograph everything); who pays utilities and management fees; whether the building allows foreign tenants (some do not); proximity to metro stations; and the exact deposit return conditions. Have a Chinese-speaking friend review the contract - most leases are in Chinese only.

For the first 1–2 weeks, short-term rentals are useful for getting oriented. However, Airbnb has been partially replaced by local platforms in China. Many Airbnb hosts don't complete the required police registration for foreign guests, which can cause problems. Serviced apartments (Ascott, Fraser, Oakwood) are a safer and more comfortable option for your initial stay at ¥400–800/night, with proper registration and English-speaking staff.

Communication is typically via WeChat - add your landlord immediately. For routine maintenance (plumbing, electrical, AC repair), the landlord or building management (物业) handles it; response times vary from same-day to several days. For emergencies (flooding, gas leak), contact building management directly. Keep receipts for any repairs you pay for out of pocket - these can be deducted from rent or reimbursed. Some landlords are very hands-on; others are difficult to reach. Establish expectations early.