Roommate Hunting in China: How to Find Compatible Flatmates
Stay2CN | Housing & Rentals | May 2026Solo apartments are expensive. Sharing is common. Here's how to do it without losing your sanity.
Where to Find Roommates:
• WeChat groups: Search " apartment share" or ask in expat forums
• Facebook groups: "Expats in Shanghai/Beijing" — daily roommate posts
• TheBeijinger / SmartShanghai: Classifieds sections
• Ziroom: Offers shared apartments with standardized rooms
Red Flags During Interviews:
❌ Won't show the apartment before you commit
❌ Asks for deposit before you've seen the lease
❌ Current roommates aren't around to meet
❌ Landlord doesn't know about the sublet
❌ "No contract needed, we're friends"
Questions to Ask:
• What's the cleaning schedule?
• How do you split utilities?
• What's the guest policy?
• Does anyone work nights? ( affects noise)
• Who's on the lease?
The Contract:
If you're not on the main lease, get a written sublease agreement. At minimum, document: rent amount, deposit, what's included, notice period.
Pro tip: Live with one roommate, not three. Two-way conflicts are manageable. Three-way conflicts are drama.
Ever had a great (or terrible) roommate experience in China?
Stay2CN Team
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