All your answers in one place

🏘 General Overview

• What is Here Real-Estate Agency?
  Here Real-Estate Agency connects tenants with market flats provided by individual landlords. We are intermediaries—not the landlord—and facilitate all leasing steps.

• Is Here Real-Estate Agency licensed and compliant?
  Yes. We verify housing ownership, register all contracts through official platforms, and ensure listings are accurate and legally compliant in line with Shanghai regulations.

• Is everything in English?
  Yes — from communication to contracts, we provide full bilingual support. Our team speaks English, French, German, Italian and Chinese.

• What if the landlord doesn’t speak English?
  No problem — we’ll facilitate communication during the lease signing and provide a group chat for support if needed.

• Can I rent without a Chinese bank account or phone number?

  Yes. We can help you sign the lease and move in before you set up local accounts. We’ll guide you through alternatives like Wise, international wire, and temporary numbers if needed.

• Can I get assistance with SIM card, banking, or metro cards?

  Yes! With our dedicated package (Here HEROES) our team can fully support at every steps of your journey in Shanghai and China.

🏠 Flat Search & Booking

• When should I start my search?
  Begin 1–2 months before your desired move-in date. Landlords rarely hold apartments far in advance, and recent blog advice echoes this for securing timely viewings .

• How do I view or reserve a flat?
  You can view via video tour or on-site viewing. Reservations incur a small non-refundable holding fee (typically a few hundred RMB), credited toward your lease payment. Payment only due once contract and keys are finalized and verified.

💰 Fees, Payments & Deposit

• What upfront costs are standard?
  Common practice: 1 to 2 months deposit (security deposit) + 1 to 2 months rent in advance (first rental month(s)), plus one-time agency fee (typically 35–50% of one month rent).

• What is the security deposit?

  The security deposit is equal to one (1) to two (2) months rental costs, the security deposit shall be made to book the accommodation. The security deposit is fully refundable at the end of your stay (minus any deductions due to regularization, damages to the property, etc.). Also note that the security deposit will always be refunded in the local currency (CNY).

• What is the first installment?

  The first installment is the total amount you need to pay before moving into the apartment. It varies depending on the landlord terms but is usually one (1) to two (2) months security deposit + one (1) to two (2) months rental costs corresponding to the first renting month(s).

• What is the agency service fee?

  The agency service fee is a one-time payment charged by Here Real-Estate Agency when you rent a flat . It covers the end-to-end support provided during your flat search and lease process.

  • What does the fee include?

    • Personalized apartment search

    • Scheduling and attending viewings (virtual or in-person)

    • Negotiating rent and lease terms with landlords

    • Preparing bilingual contracts

    • Assisting with lease signing, deposit handling, and move-in coordination

    • Ongoing communication support with landlords during your lease

    How much is it?

    • The standard fee is 50% of one month’s rent
      (For example, if your rent is ¥8,000/month, the fee is ¥4,000)

    • With minimum fee applicable of CNY2,500 for individual room or CNY4,500 for a full flat

• What payment methods are accepted?
  We are offering multiple payments solutions at Here Real-Estate Agency with payments supported in both local currency (CNY) and EUR / USD. Payments can be made as follows:

  • Wise: pay by using Wise directly to the landlord (low bank fee and good FX rates)

  • Alipay/WeChat Pay: by linking your bank card to Alipay and WeChat APP

  • Bank Transfer: payment supported in EUR / USD only (7.50% fee applicable)

  • Cash: payment by cash in the local currency in CNY

  • Local Bank Transfer: using local Chinese banks in CNY

• Are any fees refundable?
  The deposit is refundable minus damages or unpaid utilities. Agent fees are non-refundable. Leave-through or lease break penalties may apply.

📄 Lease & Legal

• What’s included in the lease?
  Lease contracts are bilingual (Chinese & English) and signed digitally. We review terms such as rent escalation, termination clauses, and landlord responsibilities. In most cases, we are using our own template for maximum transparency and favorable terms for our clients.

• Do I need to register with the police?
  Yes. Foreigners must register their address within 24 hours of arrival. Our team will guide you with the overall process. Failure to register can affect visas and results in fines.

• What about fapiaos (official receipts)?
  Fapiao issuance depends on landlord. If required—for reimbursement or company expense—inform us up front so we can check availability.

• Can my company pay for my rent directly?
  Yes — we’ll coordinate the payment and fapiao issuing directly with your HR or finance team.

• Who should I contact to renew my lease contract?

  Our team will support you to renew the lease contract by renegotiating the terms with the landlord, please note the following one-time fee:

  • Individual Room / Studio / 1 bedroom apartment: CNY1,250

  • Full unit starting from 2 bedrooms apartment: 50% of the first commission amount or CNY2,250 minimum fee

• Can I cancel after signing? What if I leave early?

  In the event where the tenant will have to breach the lease contract (for any reason), please contact us so we can handle the situation with the landlord, please note the following two scenarios when it comes to breaching a lease contract:

  • No replacement: if no replacement is found (meaning new tenant) to take over the lease contract, the landlord will retain the security deposit

  • Replacement: if you have found a new tenant to take over the lease contract, the landlord will give you back the security deposit, please note the following one-time fees:

    • Self replacement (you have found a new tenant by yourself): 25% commission applicable of one (1) month rental costs (or CNY2,500 for rooms) to be paid by the new tenant to Here.

    • Here real-Estate Agency Support (Here have found a new tenant): 25% commission applicable of one (1) month rental costs (or CNY2,500 for rooms) to be paid by the current tenant to Here with additional 25% commission applicable of one (1) month rental costs (or CNY2,500 for rooms) to be paid by the new tenant to Here.

🛠️ Move-In, Utilities & Maintenance

• What is usually included in the apartment?

  When it comes to renting a flat in Shanghai and China, most flats are partially furnished and equipped as follows:

  • Furnitures: All flats comes partially furnished with all essential furnitures such as:

    • Bed

    • Table

    • Chair

    • Cabinet

    • Sofa

    • The list is furnitures is varying per flat, always ask our agent to double confirm what is included.

  • Equipment: All flats comes partially equipped with all essential equipment such as: 

    • Fridge

    • Stove

    • Washing machine

    • The list is equipments is varying per flat, always ask our agent to double confirm what is included.

  • Beddings & Towels: beddings (duvet, cover, bedsheets, etc.) are not included, towels are not included as well. Always ask our agent to double confirm.

  • Consumables & Essentials: kitchen (cutlery, plates, etc.) and bathrooms (shower gel, toilet paper etc.) essentials are usually not included. Always ask our agent to double confirm.

• What to inspect during move-in?
  The check-in and check-out are critical moments during your stay with Here Real-Estate agency. During the check-in, our team of local agents will be here to accompany you in this process.

  Few tips for the check-in: take pictures and videos to avoid future litigations with the landlord when the check-out time comes. Same goes during the check-out: take pictures and videos to avoid extra litigation with the landlord after the check-out.

  Please note that all outstanding amounts will be deducted from the security deposit such as: utilities fees, unpaid rent amount, unpaid service fee, etc.

  For more, visit our dedicated articles here:

  • Check-in: https://www.hererealestateagency.com/blog/doing-the-check-in-in-shanghai

  • Check-out: https://www.hererealestateagency.com/blog/check-out-process

• Who manages utilities and repairs?
  The landlord handles repairs; calls can take time depending on responsiveness. Utilities are typically billed monthly or bimonthly, payable by Alipay or WeChat. Unpaid bills may be deducted from your deposit.

• How to handle the utilities?

  The utilities are paid monthly or bi-monthly in most cases, the utilities are made of three (3) components: water, electricity and gas. Always pay attention to your electricity consumption in summer when using the AC system and in winter when using the floor eating, wall eating and AC system (our estimate is to budget around CNY100 to CNY200 per month and per tenant).

  The utilities are usually paid directly using Alipay / WeChat Pay dedicated utilities feature.

  Always pay the utilities in time to avoid disruption from the local suppliers, please note that all outstanding utilities amounts will be deducted from the security deposit if unpaid.

  For more, visit our dedicated article here: https://www.hererealestateagency.com/blog/paying-the-utilities.

• How much are utilities?
  Here’s a rough monthly estimate (for a one-bedroom appartment):

  • Electricity: ¥100–¥300

  • Water: ¥20–¥50

  • Gas: ¥30–¥80

  • Internet: ¥100–¥150

  • Heating (in winter): ¥200–¥400 (if electric)

• Do I need to buy an internet / WiFi plan?

  WiFi is usually not included in the accommodation, we recommend using China Telecom with the 200mo plan at around CNY2,000 / year. Please note that because of the firewall, data might be significantly slow for browsing international websites, using a VPN is highly recommended.

  For the mobile data plan, using China Mobile is recommended, in China, you will always have to top-up your plan, it will usually cost around CNY100 per month. Same advice as for the WiFi, using a VPN is highly recommended.

• Can I smoke or keep pets?
  Depends on landlord rules—always confirm ahead of time to avoid future litigation.

➕ Additional Information

• Do you offer airport pickup?

  Yes — tenants can book a pickup service from Pudong or Hongqiao airport. We’ll coordinate it based on your landing time.

• Can I arrive late at night or on the weekend?

  Yes — we offer self check-in options and key handover instructions via WhatsApp/WeChat.

• Is tenant insurance required?
  No, but we recommend getting coverage for your valuables. Some international banks or relocation packages include it.

• Are the flats safe?
  Yes — all buildings have front-desk security and locked main entrances.