最近有外国朋友问我租房的事，才想起这个“大坑”。在上海租房，除了看地段和价格，签合同前一定要确认这三件事：
A foreign friend recently asked me about renting, which reminded me of this “big pitfall”. When renting in Shanghai, besides checking the location and price, you must confirm these three things before signing the contract:
1. 到底能不能“办理居住登记”？(Can you actually “register your residence”?)
这对老外极其重要！你需要拿租房合同去派出所办住宿登记，这关系到你的签证续签。
This is extremely important for foreigners! You need to take the lease to the police station to register your accommodation, which is related to your visa extension.
很多房东的房子是不允许或者嫌麻烦不给你办登记的。看房时一定要直接问中介或房东：“这个房子能配合办理老外住宿登记吗？” 如果不行，价格再便宜也不要租。
Many landlords do not allow it or find it troublesome to register for you. When viewing, be sure to ask the agent or landlord directly: “Can this apartment cooperate with foreigner accommodation registration?” If not, don’t rent it no matter how cheap it is.
2. 检查房屋的“水电煤”性质 (Check the “Water, Electricity, Gas” nature of the house)
上海有些公寓是由商业楼改造的，叫“商住两用房”。这里的电费和水费是“商用标准”，比普通住宅贵两三倍。
Some apartments in Shanghai are converted from commercial buildings, called “commercial-residential”. The electricity and water fees here are “commercial standards”, two to three times more expensive than ordinary residences.
在看房时，一定要让房东出示最近一个月的水电费账单看一眼，确认是民用水电。
When viewing, be sure to ask the landlord to show you last month’s utility bill to confirm it’s residential utilities.
3. 押金退还的“克扣条款” (The “deduction clause” for deposit refund)
本地租房通常是“押一付三”。退房时，有些黑心房东会以“墙面弄脏了”、“电器有磨损”为由，扣掉你的全部押金。
Local rentals usually require “one month deposit, three months rent”. Upon moving out, some unscrupulous landlords will deduct your entire deposit on the grounds that “the walls are dirty” or “appliances are worn”.
签合同前，一定要在合同里补上一句：“正常使用造成的自然折旧，不扣除押金。” 并在交房当天，把房间里原本就破损的地方全部拍照留存。
Before signing the contract, be sure to add a sentence in the contract: “Natural wear and tear caused by normal use will not deduct the deposit.” And on the day of handover, take photos of all the originally damaged areas in the room.