Beijing issues rules for leased houses

The Beijing municipal government published a notification on house leasing on Thursday to crack down on illegal shared housing, putting restrictions on the number of people who can live in leased houses.

The notification said the average living space in leased houses should be at least 5 square meters and each room can accommodate no more than two people.

However, people who are fostering, supporting or maintaining others are immune from this provision.

The notification also said a separate room is the minimum leasing unit and the original structure of the houses being leased shouldn't be changed.

The kitchen, balcony, washing room and storerooms in basements should not be leased as accommodation, according to the notification.

It also requires that clauses about the standard average living space, limited number of tenants and other restrictions be included in the model text of tenancy agreements.

The landlord is responsible for the safety of houses and should supervise their tenants' use of the houses, the notification said.

The regulation was drafted by the city's commission of housing and urban-rural development, public security bureau, commission of urban planning and health bureau.