expat renting Shanghai

One of the first questions you will face when looking for an apartment in Shanghai is: furnished or unfurnished? The short answer is that almost every rental listing in Shanghai comes furnished. But "furnished" can mean anything from a bed, wardrobe, and sofa to a fully equipped home with everything you need on day one. Understanding what you are actually getting — and how to negotiate — can...

If you have rented an apartment in Shanghai, chances are you have already encountered the concept of a second landlord (二房东 / èr fáng dōng) – whether you realized it or not. You find a beautifully renovated apartment online. The photos look great. The price is reasonable. You meet someone for a viewing, sign a contract, and move in. Weeks later, you discover that the person you...