A large proportion of expats who move to Beijing arrive on corporate packages that include housing. Some companies used to restrict their staff to living in company-owned buildings, but today it is more common for a package to provide a set budget for employees to find their own home. Those brought over by a company usually deal directly with the firm’s HR department, which will liaise with an estate agent to complete the necessary paperwork.

People who don’t have the help of a company to find accommodation can deal independently with an estate agent, or even directly with a landlord. International real estate firms tend to deal with higher-end clients, so if your budget is ¥10,000 or less a month, it is best to go through a local estate agent. There are agencies all over Beijing, and you may need to try a few before you find a company you feel comfortable with.

Most agencies cover the area they are situated in, so it is often helpful to first choose the district you would like to live in. The internet is also a good place to look for housing; many of the English language forums include property advertisements and notices posted by people looking for a place to live. They are particularly useful for students or those looking for house shares. Check www.thebeijinger.com, www.beijing.asiaxpat.com, www.expatsinchina.com or www.cityweekend.com.cn/beijing.