29/07/2025
A little story from last week that I wanted to share…
A girl who’s coming to study in Shanghai this September reached out to us for help finding a flat. After several online viewings, just as she was about to make the payment, she suddenly accused us of being a scam company.
It was honestly the first time we’ve encountered something like this — and it really caught us off guard.
After discussing it as a team, we tried to understand where the misunderstanding came from. We suspect it might be because the name on the rental contract and the bank account were different — something we didn’t explain clearly enough. As property managers (not the owners), it’s normal that the names on the contract and the account don’t match.
To make things easier for her, our team member also shared both a Chinese and a UK bank account for payment. In the past, some international clients have asked whether they could pay via platforms like Wise or Revolut, so she shared the foreign bank account out of good intentions and past experience.
Unfortunately, the presence of a foreign account raised a red flag for the student. Before we had the chance to explain, she had already blocked us.
As someone who has studied abroad myself, I fully understand how nerve-wracking it can be to prepare for life in a new country. There’s so much excitement — but also a lot of uncertainty. I genuinely hope she finds a place where she feels safe and at home.
That said, I also want to take this chance to introduce ourselves a bit. Since 2017, our team has helped over 10,000 people — students, professionals, creatives, and teachers from all over the world — find a home in Shanghai. Before COVID, we didn’t even advertise on international platforms. Most of our clients came through word-of-mouth — one friend recommending us to another.
So if you're a student planning ahead for your move to Shanghai: it’s absolutely good to be cautious. And if you ever have questions or doubts, don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re always happy to walk you through everything clearly and honestly.
We may not be perfect, but we’re real people doing real work — and we’re always here to help.
Wishing everyone a smooth and happy move to Shanghai. 🙏🏽🏡✨
