Renting & the police station

Updated: 2026-10-14

Work-tied housing only: lease points that affect registration and permits, and the police-station visit. Not a neighborhood or lifestyle guide.

Before you sign — lease basics that affect registration

• Landlord’s name matches property ownership docs
• Full address written clearly (Chinese address you’ll use everywhere)
• Lease dates cover your intended stay
• Who accompanies you to the 派出所 (landlord vs agent)
• Whether the property can legally be rented to foreigners (ask explicitly)

Contract must-haves (practical)

• Parties’ names as on ID / passport
• Rent, deposit, and what’s included
• Early termination and deposit return rules
• Agent fee (if any) in writing
• Copies for you, stamped/signed

Police station visit with landlord or agent

• Book a time when landlord/agent can appear with property documents
• Bring passport, visa/permit, lease, phone number
• Confirm which 派出所 covers the address before you go
• Get the registration record/slip before you leave

Related checklist: Temporary Residence Registration

Moving

• Re-register at the new address promptly
• Tell HR if your address is on file for permits or emergency contact
• Don’t leave a gap between addresses if you can avoid it

Work-tied only — what this page is not

No café lists, dating tips, or weekend itineraries. If it doesn’t affect registration, pay, or staying legal for work, it doesn’t belong here.

Checklist before you sign

• You’ve seen ownership / agent authorization
• You know which police station you’ll use
• Landlord committed to attending registration
• You can keep a written lease copy the same day
• Deposit and fees are receipted

Pitfalls

• Verbal-only rentals (“WeChat handshake”) that fail at the police station
• Sublets where the master tenant can’t produce documents
• Signing before you know the registration station or landlord availability