Dongsi Shitiao Tenants Kicked to the Curb in the Wake of Subletting Crackdown

Beijing apartment dwellers beware: a crackdown on subletting is underway, and we've heard of at least three people that have been evicted over the past two weeks as a result.

Two foreigners and one Chinese have recently been given eviction notices after learning that their landlord was not actually the property owner, but a middleman subletting the apartment. All lived close to the Dongsi Shitiao area.

China Daily recently reported that crackdowns on subletting are part of a larger local municipal government iniative to reduce Beijing's population, and are being undertaken in Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai, and Shijingshan districts.

It also specifically lists Nanluogu Xiang, Gui Jie, and spots adjacent to the Palace Museum as future "priority areas where measures will be taken to reduce the population density."

Dongcheng officials are aiming to shrink its permanent resident (i.e. those who have dwelled in the capital for six months or more) population by 32,000 this year, while Beijing at large has been tasked with a cap of 23 million people by the decade's end (the city-wide permanent resident population was 21.7 million in 2015).

Eviction was swift for all three of the tenants. One was only granted until month's end (less than 10 days) to vacate, though his landlord eventually gave him a month-long extension. The tenant's notice said the eviction was due to illegal subletting, though his agent gave him contradictory information about having to evict because of a pending demolition. While the building next to his is undergoing a huge facelift, the tenant doubts that his own apartment will be knocked down because it was already renovated a mere few years ago.

Tenants are not always aware they are subletting, as it's common for agents to act as middlemen. Those concerned about their current status are advised to talk directly to your landlord (before your next rent is due, for leverage). Ask to see the property ownership certificate (房产证) and be sure you are paying your rent to the account of the person listed on the certficate.

There is some ambiguity on what types of housing are being targeted. Some say the targets are those living in properties that have been illegally subdivided into multiple units; others say the primary target is those living in government-owned housing where the typically old Beijing residents never purchased the property, but rather have the right of residence, but not to lease. TBJ is still investigating minutia of these laws, and how they led to our three sources being evicted. 

Have you heard of similar subletting issues? Share your tips, thoughts, and experiences in the comments section below.