What you need to know

The State Council's Housing Lease Regulation (Order No. 812) has applied since 15 September 2025. It sets the basic rules for the lease, the deposit and filing. This guide follows articles 8 to 12.

Before you sign

The landlord has to show you an identity document and the property ownership certificate or other proof of the right to let the home. The landlord also has to check your identity document, and must not let to someone who refuses to show one.

The lease

Landlord and tenant sign the lease under their real names.

Filing

The landlord files the lease with the housing authority where the home is, for example through the housing rental platform. If the landlord does not file, you can do it yourself.

Deposit

If the landlord takes a deposit, the lease must say how much it is, when it will be returned and in which cases it can be reduced. Apart from those cases, the landlord may not deduct from the deposit without good reason. The regulation sets no cap on the amount in these articles.

While you live there

You show your identity document, use the home safely and reasonably, do not damage or switch off fire equipment, do not change the structure or the use, and do not run extra water, power or gas lines. Do not rebuild inside without the landlord's consent. Cooperate when the landlord lawfully has to enter. The landlord may not enter without your consent unless the law allows it.

Ending the lease

If the landlord ends the lease as the law allows, the landlord must tell you and give you reasonable time to move out. Violence, threats or other unlawful ways of forcing you out are banned.

What is not here

These articles say nothing about rent increases or a deposit cap. Registering your stay with the police is a separate duty; see the accommodation registration guide. Local rules and the lease itself fill in the rest.

The source is listed below with the date it was opened.

Practical facts

Documents to bring

  • Your identity document original You show it to the landlord[1]
  • Landlord's identity document and the property ownership certificate or other proof of the right to let original or copy The landlord must show it to you[1]

Steps

  1. Before you sign, ask the landlord to show an identity document and the property ownership certificate or other proof of the right to let the home.[1]
  2. Show the landlord your identity document. A landlord must not let to someone who refuses to show one.[1]
  3. Sign the lease under your real names.[1]
  4. Check the deposit clause: it must state the amount, when it will be returned and the cases in which money can be deducted.[1]
  5. The landlord files the lease with the housing authority where the home is, for example through the housing rental platform. If the landlord does not, you can file it yourself.[1]
  6. Use the home safely and reasonably. Do not alter the structure, switch off fire equipment or change the use without the landlord's consent, and cooperate when the landlord lawfully needs to enter.[1]
  7. If the landlord ends the lease, the landlord must tell you and leave you reasonable time to move out. Violence or threats to force you out are not allowed.[1]

Official sources

  1. State Council (copy on the Ministry of Ecology and Environment site): 住房租赁条例 (State Council Order No. 812, in force since 2025-09-15) (www.mee.gov.cn/zcwj/gwywj/202507/t20250722_1123995.shtml) · accessed 10/21/2026