Shanghai Housing Guide
Everything you need to find and rent an apartment
The most common platforms and methods for finding rental housing in Shanghai.
Lianjia链家
appChina's largest real estate platform. Mostly Chinese but listings are verified. Great for finding agents and browsing neighborhoods.
sh.lianjia.comZiroom自如
appManaged apartments with standardized furnishing and service. Higher price but hassle-free — no dealing with individual landlords.
ziroom.comSmartShanghaiSmartShanghai
webEnglish-language listings popular with expats. Higher-end rentals, good for first-timers who want English support.
smartshanghai.com/housingDouban Groups豆瓣租房
webChinese community forums with direct-from-landlord posts. Lower prices, but requires Chinese language skills.
Local Agent中介
agentLocal agents (中介) charge 35–100% of one month's rent as commission. They handle negotiation and paperwork. Ask expat groups for trusted agents.
Direct from Landlord房东直租
agentRenting directly from the landlord (房东直租) saves agent fees. Common on Douban and WeChat groups, but you handle negotiation yourself.