Accommodation

Most Chinese universities and colleges provide various levels of on campus accommodation to international students at different cost to suit different needs. International students are able to choose their accommodation when you arrive at the school. The on campus accommodation is usually much cheaper than the market price.

For school’s accommodation details, please search for your favourite school on www.cucas.edu.cn, go to school’s homepage, and click “Accommodation” column to see the details.

 
How can I rent a house or apartment?

A foreigner may find a house in Beijing through a real estate intermediary.

You should avoid renting a house or apartment if any of the following apply:
(1)   There is no certificate of ownership;
(2)  The house is sealed up by ruling or decisions of judicial or administrative organs or housing and land rights are restricted in other ways by these organs;
(3)  The house is jointly owned and consent of one or more joint owners is lacking;
(4)  Ownership is disputed;
(5)  The building is illegal;
(6)  The house does not meet safely standards;
(7)  The house is mortgaged and consent of the mortgagee has not been obtained;
(8)  The house fails to meet requirements set by public security, environmental protection, health or other competent    authorities;
(9)  The house may not be rented according to other laws, regulations and rules.

 

How can I find a suitable residence?

The Housing Company of the Beijing Diplomatic Service Bureau and FESCO provide an office and residence advisory service, including recommending to foreign institutions suitable candidate offices or residences when necessary. You may also rely on trustworthy housing intermediaries to do the job for you.

When purchasing a house or apartment, you should ensure the real estate developer has all the required documents and permits for the sale. You must obtain approval from the relevant inspection office after you have chosen the house and go through relevant formalities with the Beijing Municipal Housing and Land Administration Bureau. When you make alternations to the structure of a house or apartment, you should ensure the section to be altered is covered by the house and land ownership. If you purchase an existing house, please check the transfer payment of the house and land ownership of the lesser. In addition, you should process the relevant procedures with the Beijing Municipal Housing and Land Administration Bureau.

Foreigners who live in China for the purpose of work and/or study for no less than one year may purchase residential housing. Foreigners are only allowed to purchase one house or apartment per person; they should present a written declaration about the requirement and private use of the residence when registering for pre-purchase and ownership. When you purchase a non-self use residence, you should follow the procedures for foreign business people investing in real estate and applying to set up a foreign-funded enterprise; if you fail to do so, you will not be allowed to process the transfer procedure of ownership.