88 CultureShock! China
Walk the exterior of the building and see if there is any
construction going on nearby.
It is also critical to understand if there are any unfinished
apartments in the block you are looking at, and if so, when
they intend to renovate them. The sound of drilling and
hammering in cement buildings carries many floors each
way. Typically the construction crew is from the countryside
and lives in the apartment while they are renovating it. They
get paid by the job and want to hurry through it. Regardless
of building regulations, they will start tapping away as soon
as the sun comes up and they are awake, and if under
time pressure to finish, will do the same in the middle of
the night.
Many cities have adopted regulations for renovations to
assure reasonable coexistence during it by neighbours. If
there is renovation that will be going on in your building,
you must feel confident that the building management will
police it properly. If they are not diligent, the situation quickly
deteriorates into you having to take matters into your own
hands and do battle with poor peasant farmers who have
no reason to listen to you. It is a no-win situation on both
sides at that point.
Apartments in China typically come either partially or
fully furnished. When viewing apartments, keep in mind
that they can be changed. You can negotiate new furniture
or appliances into the rental price of the apartment. If it
has not yet been furnished, a landlord may provide you a
furniture allowance. The same is true of appliances. Usually
this means a refrigerator and a washer or dryer. Ovens
and dishwashers are not standard in China. They require
additional negotiation.
The landlord will usually provide you with a list of items
to be purchased and a budget limit. Remember to stay
within the budget to avoid dispute. If you decide to purchase
different items to those on the list, amend the list and get it
signed off before spending the money.
When selecting appliances, it is best to select the brand
and model of the appliances you want and have the landlord
purchase them for you. It keeps them responsible for the