Yes, it is recommended to ship your own furniture to China to make the place feel more homely. However, please be aware that there is little rental price difference between fully furnished and unfurnished properties. Generally, it is more difficult to rent an unfurnished property than a fully furnished one. Nevertheless, in larger cities, finding an unfurnished rental property is relatively easier compared to smaller cities where the demand for unfurnished properties could be lower.

Furniture rental is not common in China and most landlords will furnish their house/apartment before renting. But there are several furniture rental companies operating in the market.

A typical apartment lease is normally for one year. For houses, many landlords prefer two-year leases, especially if the lease includes renovations and additional furniture purchases. Some landlords will accept a 2-year lease, with a break option for the tenant after a specified period of time.

Fapiaos are issued by the local tax authorities and they are a tax receipt for funds paid. A fapiao must be obtained to ensure that Value Added Tax has been paid. To comply with accounting rules, most tenants need a fapiao for each payment. The fapiao should also indicate that the payment is for “housing rent” if it is for rent. The name of the fapiao issuer (shown on the fapiao) should be the same as the payee’s name.

Rent is typically paid in RMB via bank transfer to the landlord's account. Rent is usually paid in advance for periods of 1 month (commonly seen in Beijing and Shanghai), 3 months, or 6 months (quarterly payment or semi-annual payment is more commonly requested in smaller cities).

In addition to the use of furniture, electrical appliances, and fixtures, a lease normally includes management fees and fapiaos. Utility usage allowances (for water, gas, and electricity), broadband (installation and monthly usage fees), telephone line installation, cable/satellite TV, club membership, car parking space, heating fees, cleaning services (if provided), garden maintenance, etc., are optional items and are subject to the housing budget and final negotiation. However, most companies have their own housing lease policies, and some items cannot be included in a lease. Negotiations regarding these extra items are therefore handled on a case-by-case basis to comply with company policies.