Paying rent without a local bank account yet

Many newcomers sign a lease before the payroll bank account is open. Plan the first month’s rent deliberately.

Options people use

• Pay from overseas with a method the landlord accepts (wire / platform) — get a written receipt
• Friend or colleague temporary help — document it
• Hotel longer stay until banking is done (sometimes cheaper than a rushed bad lease)

Avoid

• Large cash handoffs with no receipt
• Promising WeChat/Alipay transfer before you can actually link a card

Coordinate with your landlord early; surprise “only local transfer” clauses are fixable if you ask before move-in day.