FAQ - Beijing Commercial Real Estate

How long does it take to get a Beijing office space?

Inspections are a two-phase process taking about 2 weeks. In the first phase we give you an overview of the buidlings. In the second phase, once you've narrowed down your preferred buildings, we show you all available spaces. Reviewing the Tenancy Agreement can take several weeks. Fit-outs take 2-3 weeks for basic work but 6-8 weeks for major custom designs. Click here for the Timeline.

When do I pay the rent?

Depending on the commercial property, rents may be paid monthly or quarterly.

How much is the security deposit for Beijing commercial real estate?

Typically 2-3 months rent.

What currency is the rent paid in?

Rents are paid in Ren Min Bi currency.

What is the rent-free period?

This is a 2-3 month rent-free period, specified in the Tenancy Agreement during which fit-out work is done.

Are Beijing office spaces fitted-out?

Normally, offices are leased bare shell, meaning a bare concrete floor and ceilings with exposed ventilation ducts and wire trays. Some mid-tier office spaces leave the previous tenant's fit-out, or come with standard flooring and ceiling.

How much does it cost to fit-out a Beijing office space?

Office fit-outs start at about RMB600/sqm for basic work and go up to about RMB1,500/sqm for high-end fit-outs that include custom designs.

How long does it take to fit-out an office?

Basic fit-outs take 2-3 weeks but major custom designed fit-outs may take 6-8 weeks. Allow for an extra 3 weeks if work is carried out over the Spring Festival.

How much is the security deposit and when is it paid?

2-3 month's rent as security deposit is the norm. Typically you pay the first months' rent on signing the Tenancy Agreement and the security deposit prior to the commencement date.

If I have any problems during my lease who do I speak to?

Call or email us immediately. We are experienced problem solvers.

Can I break the lease early?

You may, but unless your landlord has agreed to a break option in your tenancy agreement, you will forfeit your security deposit. Although rare, in some leases, lanlords may insist that you pay compensation for a lease that is terminated early.

What language is the Tenancy Agreement in?

Tenancy Agreements are bilingual (Chinese and English), unless both parties are comfortable with one language.

How do I return the office space at the end of the lease?

The property should be returned in the condition you received it in. If bare-shell, you will be required to remove all fit-outs.

When is my security deposit returned to me?

On completion of the office lease lease, the landlord returns the security deposit to you after all outstanding bills paid and any damages repaired.

What is a Fapiao and why do I need it?

A Fapiao is a tax receipt for funds paid. The use of Fapiaos in China is a means for the tax authorities to ensure that value added tax (VAT) on a transaction has been paid. In many countries, the payee for goods or services issues a receipt to the payer and is responsible for declaring the VAT. In China the tax receipt, a Fapiao, must be issued by the tax authorities. It is either pre-paid and printed at the tax bureau, or printed by the payee on offical Fapiao paper using a system that's linked on-line to the tax authorities. To comply with accounting rules, your employer needs a Fapiao for all rent payments made. The Fapiao should state the names of the payer and payee, and also note that the payment is for rent. The VAT for commercial real estate rent payments is currently 12%. However, this varies by district and type of commercial real estate.

Is a parking space included in the lease?

Not normally, but they may be. If parking spaces are included in the lease, they will be included at cost.

Who pays Lihong's commission?

In China, the Landlord pays the commission. But rest assured, we always negotiate on your behalf. Most of our business is from existing client referrals and long-term corporate clients. We'd like to keep it that way.

Want to know more ? Ask a Question

Next: Common Mistakes

Select Type

Apartment 1 Bed[37]

Apartment 2-3 Beds[137]

Apartment +4 Beds[59]

All Apartments[244]

House 2-3 Beds[22]

House +4 Beds[71]

All Houses[99]

Select Rent

< RMB15,000/mth[66]

RMB15,000-30,000/mth[112]

RMB30,000-45,000/mth[94]

> RMB45,000/mth[73]

All Rents[345]

All Areas

Chaoyang Park[68]

Lido & Wangjing[21]

CBD[64]

Central [20]

Haidian[10]

Sanlitun[54]

Shunyi[87]

Sanyuan Qiao[9]

North[0]

South[0]

East[12]

All Areas[345]

Apartment towers lining the edge of the city's largest park house many of Beijing's expatriates. They are well served by the cafes and restaurants clustered around Chaoyang Park's West gate. To the north there's the Lufthansa Centre and surrounding office towers. The German school is here, as is the new US embassy. The area includes Lady's Street, a flower market and bazaar.

One of the older expatriate neighbourhoods with the Holiday Inn Lido at its epicentre. A leafy area with good expatriate amenities. 798, a 50s era factory turned creative hub is here. To the northeast, there's Wangjing, a large mid-tier residential neighbourhood. Some larger corporations are building dedicated office complexes here.

The busy central business district contains a high concentration of office towers with China World at it's centre. Ritan Park and the surrounding leafy embassies afford a small green lung. Preferred by those wanting easy access to amenities and a quick commute to work.

Beijing's geographic and administrative centre containing Tiananmen, the Forbidden City and Houhai. Populated by government employees and tourists, few expatriates choose to live here due to a lack of quality homes and a dearth of amenities. The area includes Financial Street, to the West of Tiananmen, a commercial area that has attracted a number of financial institutions.

Although home to the city's top universities, this is not Cambridge. Promoted as a tech development zone, it isn't Palo Alto either. There is a vibrant student scene, but expatriates working here choose to commute from the eastern side of the city.

A large cluster of leafy embassies here, but the neighbourhood is most renowned for its bars, cafes and restaurants. The Bookworm, a literary cafe, and small independent boutiques add a bohemian flavour. The Workers Stadium and French School are also here. To the north there's Dongzhimen, a transport hub that includes the airport line.

Expatriate suburbia, minutes from the airport and less than an hour's commute to the CBD. The major international schools are here. A wide range of expatriate amenities have sprung up around the villa communities. This quieter and greener area is a family friendly biosphere.

Office and apartment developments have extended north along the 3rd Ring into Sanyuan Qiao. Few amenities here, but it's a short hop to Sanlitun and Chaoyang Park. The subway and airport line allow easy access to most parts of the city.

Home to the Olympic Stadium and its surrounding facilities. The vast park area is a boon for the neighbourhood but with no quality homes, few expatriates choose to live here.

Once the wrong side of the railway tracks, the south is still underdeveloped. Low property prices mean favourable rents for bargain hunters. No amenities, but some apartments are close to the CBD.

Just outside the East 4th Ring, the area was once an industrial hinterland. Some mid to low-end residential developments here. A short commute to the CBD, but few expatriate amenities in the area.

Quick Search