@forrestfire: A lot of landlords do prefer twelve months, but you can often get away with six. The trick is to be charming and to convince them that they'd rather have you than some random shady person willing to pay the year up-front.

I second the km.58.com suggestion, but I think it's mainly useful to see what the market looks like (prices, sizes, etc) and where you want to live. A lot of agents put up expired or fake listings to draw in leads, so the info isn't 100% reliable. But if you have limited time to window shop, it can help you make the most of your time.

for my landlord (through agent) we paid 3 months up front + deposit and fee (5 months total) then at the end of three months we agreed to pay 6 months (that was a little difficult) and they want 3 months more before the end of the 6 months so you can get deals like that expecially if you go with a chinese friend

Wow! Seems like you're all getting shafted on rental terms in Kunming. I'm in Guangzhou and standard terms here are two months rent as deposit and first month up front. Normally agents fee is shared with the owner. Then pay month by month. So initial outlay is 3.5 months rent of which you get 2 months back at the end of the contract.

also consider the price of hiring someone to clean the filth. everything will be covered in oil,grime,dirt. chinese NEVER clean apartments before they leave.

also check the water meter, and electric meter before you move in. take pictures of all the damage BEFORE you sign the contract.

also change the locks YOURSELF.

ive some awesome landlords, and some thief scum of a landlord. communicate with them, youll get a load of perks from it.