Whether you are planning to rent an apartment in the bustling streets of Shanghai or buy a serene countryside home in Yunnan, knowing some key Chinese phrases will significantly smooth the process. Here’s a handy list of phrases that will prove essential for renting or buying property in China.

租房 (zū fáng) – Rent a house
This term is used when you’re looking to rent a property.
我想租房，不知道你们有没有合适的房源？(Wǒ xiǎng zū fáng, bù zhīdào nǐmen yǒu méiyǒu héshì de fángyuán?) – I am looking to rent a house, I wonder if you have any suitable listings?

买房 (mǎi fáng) – Buy a house
This is the phrase for expressing the intention to purchase property.
我们计划明年买房。(Wǒmen jìhuà míngnián mǎi fáng.) – We plan to buy a house next year.

房东 (fáng dōng) – Landlord
The person who owns the rented property you are living in.
房东昨天来检查房子了。(Fángdōng zuótiān lái jiǎnchá fángzi le.) – The landlord came to check the house yesterday.

房客 (fáng kè) – Tenant
Someone who rents a property from a landlord.
房客每个月都按时付租金。(Fángkè měi gè yuè dōu ànshí fù zūjīn.) – The tenant pays the rent on time every month.

合同 (hé tong) – Contract
An official agreement between the tenant and landlord.
请仔细阅读合同条款。(Qǐng zǐxì yuèdú hétong tiáokuǎn.) – Please read the contract terms carefully.

押金 (yā jīn) – Deposit
The amount of money paid upfront to secure the rental and cover potential damages.
押金会在合同结束时退还给你。(Yājīn huì zài hétong jiéshù shí tuìhuán gěi nǐ.) – The deposit will be returned to you at the end of the contract.

房租 (fáng zū) – Rent
The money you pay regularly to live in the property.
我的房租每月是三千元。(Wǒ de fángzū měi yuè shì sān qiān yuán.) – My rent is three thousand yuan per month.

中介 (zhōng jiè) – Agent or Intermediary
A person or company that arranges the renting or selling of properties.
我们通过中介找到了这个房子。(Wǒmen tōngguò zhōngjiè zhǎodào le zhège fángzi.) – We found this house through an agent.

看房 (kàn fáng) – View a property
To visit a property to consider renting or buying it.
明天下午我们去看房。(Míngtiān xiàwǔ wǒmen qù kàn fáng.) – We are going to view a property tomorrow afternoon.

位置 (wèi zhì) – Location
The place where the property is situated.
这个公寓的位置非常方便。(Zhège gōngyù de wèizhì fēicháng fāngbiàn.) – The location of this apartment is very convenient.

面积 (miàn jī) – Area (size)
The measurement of the space size of the property.
这套房子的面积是120平方米。(Zhè tào fángzi de miànjī shì 120 píngfāng mǐ.) – The area of this house is 120 square meters.

设施 (shè shī) – Facilities
The amenities provided with the property, like a swimming pool, gym, etc.
小区的设施包括健身房和游泳池。(Xiǎoqū de shèshī bāokuò jiànshēnfáng hé yóuyǒngchí.) – The community facilities include a gym and a swimming pool.

家具 (jiā jù) – Furniture
The movable articles that are used to make the property suitable for living in.
房子里面的家具都是新的。(Fángzi lǐmiàn de jiājù dōu shì xīn de.) – The furniture in the house is all new.

交通 (jiāo tōng) – Traffic/Transportation
This refers to how easy it is to travel to and from the property.
这里的交通很便利，地铁站就在附近。(Zhèlǐ de jiāotōng hěn biànlì, dìtiě zhàn jiù zài fùjìn.) – The transportation here is very convenient; the subway station is nearby.

入住 (rù zhù) – Move in
This is the action of starting to live in a new property.
下个月初我可以入住吗？(Xià ge yuè chū wǒ kěyǐ rùzhù ma?) – Can I move in at the beginning of next month?

By mastering these phrases, you’ll be able to communicate your rental or purchase needs effectively and navigate the Chinese property market with confidence. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to use these phrases whenever you get the chance!