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Securing accommodation is a crucial step when moving to the mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area for work. Here are five practical tips to help you navigate the rental market:

 1.      Rental Channels and Agency Fees

• Utilize real estate agencies to find rental properties. Note that agent fees can differ by location. In cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, it's common for tenants and landlords to split the agency fee, each paying half a month's rent.
• Alternatively, explore mobile apps and websites for rental listings. These platforms often provide more budget-friendly options without agency fees.

 2.      Deposit Payment and Usage

• Understand the terms of the security deposit when signing your lease. If the lease is terminated early, the landlord may keep part or all of this deposit.
• Discuss and agree on the deposit arrangement with your landlord. Common practices include upfront payment of "1 month’s deposit, 3 months’ rent", “2 months’ deposit, 3 months’ rent”, "2 months’ deposit, 4 months’ rent", or some other arrangements.

 3.      Utility Fees and Payment Methods

• For shared apartments, rent is typically based on property size, with utilities like water, gas, and electricity split equally among tenants. Whereas, for renting individual apartments, the rent may also include property management fees covering common areas and facilities.
• Be aware that utility payment methods can vary from those in Hong Kong. For example, some properties might require prepayment of electricity, which is managed through a rechargeable card system.

 4.      Peak Rental Seasons

• Be mindful of the rental market's seasonal fluctuations. June marks the graduation peak season, with an influx of young professionals from lower-tier cities to first-tier cities for work. This can drive up demand and rental prices, especially for studio apartments. Moreover, November to December usually sees lower rental prices.

 5.      Youth Apartments Application

• Certain rentals targeting young professionals have specific eligibility criteria related to education level, job title, and age. For instance, in Guangzhou's Tianhe District, Hong Kong youth aged 18-45 who are employed at the HK-Macau-Taiwan Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Base and do not own property in Guangzhou can apply for up to a three-year lease. For detailed information, please refer to the article on our website about Youth Apartments.