User Comments - bodawei

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

哈哈

偏激的中国播客 piānjī de zhōngguóbōkè (Fringe ChinesePod)

I love the idea of a fringe show, although ChinesePod is already pretty edgy when it doesn't go into its 'pandering to the Western consumer' mode. I think I'm pretty happy with ChinesePod as it is - sometimes I am just like a terrier snapping at their heels, testing their patience. I used to have a Jack Russell and I think I may have adopted some Jack Russell behaviours. :)

I also like you idea of 'phone in' shows - sounds feasible to me. They could call poddies all over the globe, but there would have to be a Chinese language angle. The Chinese conversation would have to be exemplary - I can assure you mine would not be up to scratch. (Sorry to disappoint.)

I think I could contribute more along the lines of a column called 'Tales of the Wild West'. 'Shanghai' is allegedly fascinated by our primitive lives out here. :)

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

Hi bill

水电煤 would only work in context - if you are talking about town gas you would say 煤气 méiqì. This is the great Chinese art of abbreviation - one thing that makes reading newspapers so difficult.

燃气 - ránqì - I would imagine that this in most cases could substitute for 煤气 méiqì, but 煤气 is the word I have heard in normal conversation (eg. with the gas man.)

Posted on: Exchange Rates

Now what can America sell to China I wonder? Views of Grand Canyon?

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

Ha ha Zhenlijiang, that's a good one. I'll have to send them my portfolio. :)

'Everywhere in China but Shanghai' - you must have picked up on some of my comments. I want to make it quite clear that I have fond memories of Shanghai.. it's like a Jetsons flashback. And I hope comments like that don't damage my interview prospects.

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

They probably gave you the 'one or two months in advance' terms because YOU were too mafan. :) Chinese landlords will often go out of their way to win over a foreign tenant - they mistakenly think that this will make their lives easier. Or they can skite about you to their friends.

So - is this Shanghai you are talking about? Expat apartment or average Chinese accommodation? (If you don't mind me asking.)

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

Yeh, I get it. The 蚁族 lesson is so interesting - .. 这群租房一套房子隔成五六个小房间。。(Thanks ChinesePod). 'Based on the Japanese 'pod hotel' concept' might be a little kind to the slum landlord. :) Actually this happens in Sydney - I'm sure in lots of other Western cities. We also have our 蚁族.

I don't want to sound like I'm on a mission but I do sometimes look at lessons/comment and ask 'does this fairly represent China'. I realise you are writing for a foreign audience, mainly American, and you have clients to keep happy. But some poddies might be interested in how normal Chinese people live - they live on a much lower income than intimated here and they live in much cheaper accommodation.

I'm a big fan of this series but I think there is a really interesting story in how Chinese people live (in its rich variety.) Unfortunately we only get to hear about the 'top end' of the market in this series - tiny bit boring if you are interested in the native culture.

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

Hi Jason

I think I solved my own problem - 1680 is 35% of 4800, the rent finally agreed upon. And it is paid by both tenant and landlord? So the agent gets 70%? Kinda high. Glad I have so far avoided any agent fees in my time in China, that I am aware of. :)

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

Thanks xyberia for your ideas.

I can kind of understand the 'type of apartment' and 'the city' (code for Shanghai?), and possibly the type of job having some influence on terms, but I am wondering if this kind of terms described in the lesson is more common for foreigners? Because foreigners are used to this kind of arrangement in the West.

I also don't doubt that if they think you are 'good' they can be flexible on the terms.

I don't think it has anything to do with your Chinese, or rapport with the landlord - 6 months rent in advance is standard for Chinese people where I have lived.

I was more questioning how 'normal' this is - rather than whether it is possible. I have never heard of this kind of arrangement - I'm just wondering what the experience of others is. What is your own experience?

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

Jenny said that these arrangements described here are 'normal' but I have not come across them.  My family's experience of renting in China (say about 8 years combined) is in a few different cities including a big city on the east coast; we have always paid six months in advance.  After six months you pay another six months.  I am interested to find out about the experience of other poddies.    

Posted on: Renting an Apartment through an Agent 4

While I know it is all about the language, John said that the 35% agent's fee applies to 'the monthly rent'.  35% of 5000 RMB is 1750 RMB - how does that marry with each person (presumably two people although it does not say explicitly) giving the agent 1680 RMB? That would be a total of 3360 RMB, 对吧。