📜 Civil Code (general rules) · Awareness case
Construction Permits and Modifications in Rented Apartments for Foreigners in China · Yalla China
🤝 Governing law: قانون البناء / Urban and Rural Planning Law (2019 Amendment) + Building Code
Any structural modifications in a rented apartment require landlord approval and may require municipal permits, and any unauthorized modification exposes the tenant to deposit deduction or compensation lawsuit.
Illustrative, general educational examples — not real specific facts and not legal advice; for awareness only. For an actual situation, consult a licensed lawyer.
Under the Civil Code (2021) and municipal building regulations: the tenant has the right to use the apartment for its usual purposes, but: (1) structural modifications (wall demolition, electrical or plumbing extension): require written landlord consent + in some cases a municipal permit; (2) minor cosmetic modifications (painting, furniture hanging): generally acceptable with implicit consent; (3) unauthorized modifications: the landlord has the right to demand restoration to original condition at the tenant's expense; (4) in properties in residential compounds: the compound committee may require additional permits. Practical advice: document any agreement on modification in writing before starting work.
🎓 The lesson / takeaway
Do not start any modifications in your rented apartment without obtaining written approval from the landlord. This protects you from disputes at the end of the lease.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026