Rents have been increasing since Beijing was announced as the host for the 2008 Olympics. Rumours that landlords stand to make a huge profit for the duration of the games has fuelled speculation throughout the city.

There are fears that tenants whose contracts finish before the Olympics begin will be unable to renew their lease, or will be asked to pay a dramatic increase. Those signing a lease in the run up to the games should ask for a clause written into the contract stating that this will not happen.

However, it is still possible to lease decent accommodation at reasonable rates. Low to mid-range apartments are generally found in government-built, four to six-storey concrete blocks. A two-bedroom flat in one of these properties ranges from ¥2,000 to ¥8,000 per month.

More expensive apartments are in international serviced and non-serviced towers in purpose-built compounds, and cost upwards of ¥10,000 per month. Families tend to congregate in the north-east of the city, near the international schools, where housing ranges from small two-storey houses to luxury villas with gardens and swimming pools.