What the work covers

A Shanghai lease is both a property document and, often, a registration document. The address may support the company’s business licence and bank account, so the legal review has to consider the business, not only the occupation of the space.

We review and negotiate leases, assist with purchases and due diligence, and handle handover, fit-out and property disputes for tenants, landlords and owners.

  • Commercial and residential lease review and negotiation
  • Property purchases, due diligence and title checks
  • Fit-out, handover and reinstatement obligations
  • Lease registration and company-address requirements
  • Deposit, rent and service-charge disputes
  • Landlord and tenant litigation

When clients call us

  • A lease is at term-sheet stage and the operational clauses need review before the deposit is paid.
  • A landlord or tenant is in dispute about repairs, service charges or early termination.
  • A buyer is considering a Shanghai property and needs the title and approval position checked.

Preparing for a first consultation

Bringing the documents below to the first meeting usually makes the time more productive. If some are missing, send what you have and we will identify the gaps.

  • The draft lease, term sheet or purchase contract.
  • The landlord’s ownership documents and the property’s permitted use.
  • The correspondence and any schedule of condition or handover record.
  • The intended use, registration needs and target completion date.

How consultation fees work

A short call to the 24/7 line is free and is used to identify the next step. If you need more than that, we arrange a scheduled consultation. In-person consultations at our Jing’an office are charged by the hour; the hourly basis and the expected duration are confirmed in writing before the appointment.

In-person consultation

Billed by the hour

  • Review of the documents you send in advance
  • The in-person meeting, up to the time booked
  • A written summary of the main points and next steps

The hourly rate, the expected duration and the scope of the consultation are confirmed in writing before the appointment. VAT, official fees, translation, notarisation and other disbursements are charged separately. Matter work that follows a consultation — drafting, filings, negotiation or court work — is scoped and quoted separately. How consultations work.

Questions we are asked

Can a foreign national buy residential property in Shanghai?

Foreign nationals may buy one residence for their own use if they meet the eligibility rules, which include length of work or study in China and the absence of other local residential property. We check the position for the specific buyer and property.

Is a bilingual lease enough?

A bilingual document helps, but the Chinese text usually prevails and the schedules and house rules may exist only in Chinese. The whole package should be reviewed, not just the main terms.

General information. This page describes the scope of our practice and does not constitute legal advice. The basis on which time is charged is confirmed in writing before work begins. No outcome can be guaranteed.