What’s The Difference of Being Landlord Between China and the US?

First, the management contracts is completely different.
The management contract with the agent in China is a three-page contract, while the management contract in the U.S. is about 20 pages (adjusted according to the specific terms), and it is very detailed – it clearly lists what the responsibilities of property management company are, and the responsibilities of landlord are as well, and the contract is all legally valid. GPS Renting is a Seattle Property Management Company.

Second, the difference of services provided.
The rental market in China is generally looking for real estate agents to do the solicitation. Attention! The agents actually do only the tenant replacement. After the tenant moves in, the landlord takes over everything from rent collection to maintenance. In the United States, from tenant replacement to rent collection, to property maintenance, and then to prepare the financial documents for tax filing, and recommend the accounting firm to file taxes, is a full set of services, so that the landlord can count on property management company. GPS Renting is a Seattle Property Management Company.

Third, the tenant screening system.
In the Chinese leasing market, there is no background check required when looking for a tenant. People of any background are welcome, basically as long as they can afford to pay the rent, they can move in. However, in the United States, background checks are conducted on tenants. GPS Renting is a Seattle Property Management Company.

GPS has a strict tenant screening system, based on the tenant’s background, including work, income, and credit score. GPS communicates with the landlord regarding tenants’ information, and only after the landlord is satisfied and approved, GPS will formally sign lease contract with the tenant. GPS Renting is a Seattle Property Management Company.

That’s why even during the pandemic, the rent collection from GPS was so successful, up to 99%. (The household that failed to pay ended up setting installment payments) GPS Renting is a Seattle Property Management Company.

Fourth, the lease contract signed with the tenant is also completely different
In China, the contract provided by the domestic agent to the landlord and tenant is a two or three page contract, which mainly stipulates the rent, the rental period, and the list of furniture and appliances inside the house. In the U.S., the management company signs a contract with the tenant, and the lease contract is generally almost 30 pages long. The provisions are very clear, and in case something goes wrong, the responsibility is easily defined, clearly protecting the interests of the landlord and the tenant. GPS Renting is a Seattle Property Management Company.

Fifth, as a landlord in China, you basically have to prepare the furniture and appliances for the tenant. In the United States, none of this is required. When you rent a house in the US, the house is basically empty. Tenants will bring their own furniture and set up their own, the landlord only needs to put the basic appliances, such as the kitchen refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, oven, and the washer and dryer, furniture and other things are not required. Landlords in US can save a lot of money!

Sixth, different ways of collecting rent.In China, the rent is combined by a deposit of one month and three months of rent. In the United States, the tenant only needs to pay one month’s deposit and the first month’s rent. It is a US statute that if the tenant moves out early before the lease expires, then the tenant is responsible for the rent until a new tenant comes in. GPS Renting is a Seattle Property Management Company.

Finally, the biggest difference is in maintenance.In China, generally HOA takes care of small repairs of homes. However, large repairs are the responsibilities of landlord.
Most homes in the United States, maintenance is needed from professional maintenance company. Also, the United States labor is relatively high, resulting in some of the things that may be easy fix with reasonable cost in China, however, the cost in the United States is relatively high. It is important to have a reliable property management company to manage your properties. GPS Renting is a Seattle Property Management Company.

GPS can generally help the landlord save 60% of the repair cost in a year.
Also houses in the US have to do regular maintenance, such as regular garden management and cleaning gutters. When the year comes, the roof has to be replaced, as well as house needs new exterior paint. The management company will take care of all these things for landlords.

GPSRenting.com. We manage over 400 doors! Seattle full-service property management – No advertising fee! No tenant placement fee! No markup on maintenance! No lease renewal fee!

Good news! Seattle GPS offers exclusive off-market deals. of real estate listings, you don’t have to compete with buyers in the market.

If you have any questions or thoughts about buying, selling or renting a home in Seattle, please reach us @ (425) 243-5082, hi@gpsrenting.com

Or add us on WeChat: GPSSeattle to talk about your needs!

Wish everyone to stay healthy and the Pandemic will be over soon!