How long the lease contract should be?

The typical lease is one year contract. If you want to rent a property for more than one year, make sure that you discuss the rent with the landlord before you sign the contract. Some landlords raise the rent every year. 6-month contract is also acceptable to some landlords.

How much is the deposit?

Usually the deposit is equal to one or two month's rental, and should be paid before you actually move into the property. The deposit will be held by the landlord until you move out at the time of the lease expiration. Be sure to take good care of the furniture and appliances inside the property during the lease, and make sure the house is clean and all holes and marks on the walls are removed when you move out of your property. Give an advanced written notice to your landlord within the time frame defined in the contract.

Does the rent include tax?

In Qingdao, when we talk about rent, normally we mean "net rent". It doesn't include management fee, tax, electricity, water and gas bill. But if your company need a tax invoice, the landlord will get it for you, but you need to pay for it, which is around 10% of the rent.

Can I pay the rent monthly?

Most landlords don't accept montly and quarterly payment. Normally they ask for 6 month rent paid in advance.