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Guides for renting, buying and checking property in China

Written for people outside China, in plain English.

How to Rent an Apartment in China Before You Arrive

How to find and secure an apartment in China from abroad: where to look, what to ask the agent, how to see it remotely and when to pay, step by step.

China Rental Scams: 7 Warning Signs and How to Avoid Them

The most common rental scams foreigners meet in China, the warning signs, and what to do before you pay a deposit, with a free checker.

Can Foreigners Buy Property in China? Rules for 2026–2027

Who can buy, how many homes, self-use rules, mortgages and paying from abroad: the general rules for foreigners buying property in China.

Before You Sign a Lease in China: A 12-Point Checklist

A practical checklist for foreigners signing a rental lease in China: who you're renting from, deposit, payment terms, repairs, registration and moving out.

How to Check a Property in China From Abroad

Five ways to check an apartment or house in China without traveling, from a live video with the agent to an independent visit and report.

Rental scam checker (free tool)

Eight questions about a listing, one minute, a risk score and what to do next.

Not sure about a listing?

Run it through the free rental scam checker, or have us visit: a live video walkthrough from $149, with a full refund if we can't get in.

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