Avoid illegally partitioned rentals: the original room is the smallest unit, and kitchens, bathrooms and balconies cannot be bedrooms
Chinese rules use an originally designed room as the minimum rental unit. Kitchens, bathrooms, balconies and basement storerooms cannot be rented for habitation. Enforcement can leave tenants needing to move. A landlord also cannot arbitrarily raise rent during the term.
What it takes
No direct cost, but the same budget may buy less space or a more distant location.
What you may gain
Housing-rental rules prohibit subdividing an originally designed room into smaller rental units, require minimum per-person floor area set locally, and prohibit residential rental of kitchens, bathrooms, balconies and basement storage. Landlords cannot unilaterally raise rent at will during the contract term.
Context & considerations
When illegal partitions are removed, tenants may have to move and struggle to recover deposits or prepaid rent. Partitions can obstruct exits, and overcrowding can overload shared wiring. Check whether walls were added, whether the room has a window and whether electrical capacity supports the occupancy.
Research & references
Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (2010). Measures for the Administration of Commercial Housing Rentals, Order No. 6. Article 8 sets the original-room minimum, local per-person area standard and prohibited residential spaces. Article 9 requires contractual repairs and safe premises/facilities and prohibits arbitrary unilateral rent increases during the term. http://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2011/content_1845070.htm