That is how the market is. Go figure.

i've only ever paid rent 3 months in advance in Kunming...

so that's quite untrue.

Kunming isn't that bad, but also really isn't very good

I think 6 months in advance is the most common arrangement - that's always been the case for me.

I think 1 year was the most common 5-6 years ago, but as they have built massive complexes everywhere in Kunming, has forced landlords to negotiate rents and payment terms. Last 2 rentals i had we paid 6 months at a time. Before that 1 year and was not a topic for discussion.

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I also just pay 3 months at a time.

Same here.

We've rented 3 times last time 3 years ago. Always 12 months

@tiger

You're doing it wrong.

for me it's been a minimum of 6 months that was asked for every time. There was one guy who wanted the full 12 months so I just found another place. I have heard of friends paying 3 months at a time if their rent is higher or they'd given a big deposit. I've known a few people who find out the hard way that most (all?) rental contracts here are for 12 months and leaving early means that you 'legally' owe the rest of the 12 months - in practice they just lost their deposit and a usually a month or two of rent. either way, it's a fraction of your income compared to many other cities.