[Photo/VCG]

An essential step for most expats arriving in China is renting an apartment.

There are several English-speaking agencies these days that can help you find a good place to live but it's easier to navigate if you know some basic vocabulary. Knowing some key phrases may help you negotiate a better deal.

1. Important people to know

There are two must-know words in Chinese when it comes to apartment hunting!

Who owns the apartment?

·房东 (fáng dōng) = landlord

Who can help you find a home?

·中介 (zhōng jiè) = agent

First, you will ask a 中介 (zhōng jiè) to find a place that fits your needs. When you've found a place that you like, you will sign a contract with the 房东 (fáng dōng) and will be dealing with him/her as long as you live in their home.

2. What do you require?

The first thing an agent (or 中介 zhōng jiè) will ask is what requirements you have.

·要求 (yāo qiú) = requirements

What does your dream house look like?

Do you want to live in a quiet compound or is it more important that you live in an international community where you can hang out with your friends after work?

It's important to choose a neighborhood first.

Here are a few examples of the requirements you can talk to your 中介 (zhōng jiè) about:

·离地铁站近

·Lí dì tiě zhàn jìn

·Close to the subway station

·安静一点儿的

·Ān jìng yī diǎn er de

·In a quiet neighborhood

·小区里可以跑步

·Xiǎo qū lǐ kě yǐ pǎo bù

·Allows residents to jog in the residential area

·旁边有银行，超市，等等

·Páng biān yǒu yín háng, chāo shì, děng děng

·Banks, supermarkets and other commercial areas nearby

3. What's next?

After you decide the neighborhood you'd like to live in, you can tell your agent the apartment requirements.

Types of Apartments

整租 (zhěng zū) or 合租 (hé zū)

If you want to live alone, then you should look for a 整租 (zhěng zū) – whole (private) apartment.

If you want to share an apartment with others, then ask for a 合租 (hé zū) – shared apartment

Cost of Rent

租金 (zū jīn) = rent

The agent will ask you what your rental budget is. It's always helpful to narrow down the possible options when you have a specific price range.

You can say that you're looking for a place with a rent price less than... [price] + 以下 (yǐ xià).

Number of Rooms

一室一厅 (yī shì yī tīng) or 两室一厅 (liǎng shì yī tīng)

How many rooms would you like to have in your apartment?

一室一厅 (yī shì yī tīng) translates as "one-room-one-living room", and 两室一厅 (liǎng shì yī tīng) stands for "two-room-one-living-room". If you have a big family, you might ask for 三室一厅 (sān shì yī tīng), which means three-room-one-living room or even 四室一厅 (sì shì yī tīng), or four-room-one-living-room.

4. Additional questions

Deposit and Future Payments

押一付三 (yā yī fù sān)

This phrase translates to "deposit-one-pay-three". These numbers may vary depending on the landlord's requirements. 押一付三 (yā yī fù sān) means that the landlord wants you to pay a 1-month deposit and 3 months of rent in advance.

Some landlords might ask for a 2-month deposit or even a half-year rent payment in advance. You can always try to negotiate. It is possible to find a 押一付一 (yā yī fù yī) option too!

Types of Electricity Bills

电费 (diàn fèi) = cost of electricity

Electricity bills are an important topic to discuss with your agent in advance. This way you won't get enormous bills for electricity at the end of each month.

There are two types of rates in China for different types of places:

民用 (mín yòng) or 商用 (shāng yòng)

民用 (mín yòng) is a residential type, which means there are rates for residential buildings, while 商用 (shāng yòng) is a commercial type, which goes for buildings officially being used for commercial purposes. The electricity rates for the second type will be much higher!

Amenities

有阳台 (yǒu yáng tái) = a balcony

有电梯 (yǒu diàn tī) = an elevator

5. Can you have pets?

It's frustrating when you find a perfect apartment that suits all your requirements and then, when you're about to sign the contract, the landlord suddenly says "No pets allowed".

宠物友好 (chǒng wù yǒu hǎo) = Pet-friendly

Always mention any pets you may have to your agent in advance. Some landlords don't allow pets, as they think they might damage the furniture. Some landlords might allow cats, but not dogs. Be prepared!

What's next?

Once you've listed your requirements, the agent will bring you to see potential apartments. Pick one that suits you the best, sign the contract (签合同 qiān hé tong)... and move in!