Corporate Services
China Desk
Manager - Di Gong
Fluent in English and Mandarin
Qualified member of ARLA experience helping Chinese companies, Chinese HR departments and their employees with their accommodation needs in London
China's investment in London real estate remains strong
We continue to see strong demand for leasing from Chinese professionals coming to London, working for a high-end Chinese office in London. As the summer vacation approaches, we expect enquiries from Chinese students to increase. Most tenants plan and research real estate development projects and areas in advance to ensure they find the right type of home - This is very important to them.
Chinese tenants almost always like to build new homes because they like to live in a place with good transport links, a pleasant environment, close to where they work or study and take into account the security of the surrounding. Bright, airy and tidy room is “Must be”, while apartments overlooking the water are highly sought after – These standards apply to both buyers and tenants. However, in many parts of London, the supply of currently available properties is quite low, so applicants must determine as early as possible to ensure that they have an apartment that meets their needs.
Chinese investors who want to buy real estate in London are also very inquiring. The UK economy continues to provide stable investables for Chinese investors, and the weakness of the pound against the renminbi also represents an excellent investment value.
More Chinese students in London now than ever before - March 2019
Rental demand from Chinese applicants continues to grow and we estimate that around 70% of these are students - in 2017 there were 160,000 Chinese students studying in the UK – up from 5,800 in 1997. The number of Chinese students living in the UK far exceeds any other nationality. And this issue of education is extremely important. The UK is one of the most popular countries in which to study, giving young Chinese a chance to perfect their English and give them an international perspective, while strengthening their CV and possibly giving them the opportunity to gain some work experience in the UK – sometimes graduates are able to obtain a six-month post study visa.
The remaining 30% of Chinese tenants are corporates, usually working for major Chinese corporations which have a base here and again this rental market is strong and continues to grow.
We are also seeing large numbers of Chinese buyers continuing to invest in London property, undeterred by Brexit concerns. Budgets vary from £500k right up to £20 – 30m. Often they are investing for the medium to long term so short term political and economic events do not concern them unduly. Often they are buying a property either to use as a base when they are in Europe or as a home for their children who are studying here.
“I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you. You have provided an excellent service for my letting. Please help me to pass on my message to your director.”
S Chiu
“We are first-time landlords in London. We find ourselves really fortunate to have you as our letting agent. Your services are efficient, very specialised and transparent... you take care of every aspect of our needs! Our apartment is well presented to attract high quality tenants, thus allowing an early agreement to be made. We have no hesitation to recommend Benham and Reeves to those who want to sit back and relax, feeling their properties are in good hands!”
Mrs Chau
“Thank you so much for your good service which led to a stable tenancy for my property in London.”
A Ng Eng Hua
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Next Our China Desk consists of a team of Chinese speaking staff, whose focus is on fulfilling the accommodation requirements of Chinese HR departments and the workforce they represent.
Several unique benefits allow our China Desk to stand out from our competitors:
- We concentrate on lettings which means that all our energies are directed towards helping tenants find the right home and settle in.
- Our service is professional, highly personalised and geared towards making the lettings process as simple as possible.
- We manage two thirds of the properties that pass through our hands, enabling us to promptly detect and solve any maintenance issues.
- We ensure hassle free tenancies by acting in an intermediary capacity for even non-managed properties.
- Established connections with London’s top developers provide the pick of London’s best new property developments.
- A network of 16 branches gives us full coverage of the London rentals market.
- Every phase of the rental process is covered by our One Stop Service. Consisting of ten key advice points, this covers optimum locations (including commuter and school-run distances); accompanied viewings; tenancy issues and deposit recovery.
One Stop 10 point plan
You are assigned a dedicated account manager as your main point of contact right from the start who will walk you through the entire process.
Some important parameters (company and employee) will need to be set before arrival in London, including:
- Location
- Property type
- Budget requirements
- Commuter times
- School preferences, local amenities, transport connections.
Using the above criteria, we will narrow our search and provide a list of suitable easy- to-reach properties for viewing. We will then escort you to the viewings as we can then also point out key amenities and transport hubs.
After a property has been chosen, we will negotiate the best terms, ensuring that all the specific company requirements are fully met.
We will then subsequently draw up the tenancy agreement (or, if required, use the pre-existing company document), register the deposit with an appropriate scheme if the tenancy is in the employee’s name and complete all other necessary documentation required under UK law.
We can assist with certain mundane, yet unavoidable tasks such as inventory checks and the management of utilities prior to moving in. Electric, gas and Council Tax accounts can be set up and appliance instructions supplied.
A fully managed property ensures that maintenance issues are kept to a minimum and that tenancies are problem-free. Two thirds of our properties have opted for this service.
Your dedicated account manager is just phone call or email away.
As their tenancy period comes to an end, a good number of our corporate clients choose to renew their agreements. We will be on hand to negotiate a new contract or, if required, to acquire a new rental property on your behalf.
When a tenancy does come to an end, we are on hand to recommend professional cleaners and, if required, to attend any inventory checks.
A smooth end to a tenancy agreement is in everyone’s best interest, so after the inventory check-out is complete, we will ensure that any reasonable deductions are made by the landlord with a view to returning your deposit as soon as possible.
Additional Services For Corporate HR Departments
We offer a choice of additional resources for HR professionals including:
- Regular meetings with a view to keeping companies fully briefed on market trends and how they can keep their rents in line with any variations.
- Guided tours of selected new developments and other properties in our portfolio.
We strongly feel that the best business outcomes are based on established partnerships and with this in mind, we continually strive to give the best long-term advice and assistance attainable.
London’s latest developments
375 Kensington High Street, W14
The red brick elegance of the roads that lead off High Street Kensington make this area one of the most desirable rental locations in London. Any new property development around these parts will definitely need to have something special going for it.
...moreKensington branch 020 7938 3522
Dickens Yard, W5
This new residential development from St George plc offers a fantastic lifestyle, with high spec apartments, many with their own terrace or balcony and great facilities including a private residents' spa, 24 hour concierge service and managed underground parking.
...moreEaling branch 020 8280 0140
Fitzroy Place, W1
It is hard to think of any apartments to let in London that are located in a more convenient spot than Fitzroy Place, an ideal base for both the corporate professional and the media creative.
...moreHyde Park branch 020 7402 9866
Fulham Reach, W6
Situated on an idyllic stretch of the Thames at the Fulham end of Hammersmith, the Fulham Reach property development has become part of a dramatically reshaped West London skyline.
...moreHammersmith branch 020 8600 0960
Goodman's Fields, E1
The architecture of the City of London continues to evolve at a thrilling pace and Goodman's Fields, E1 is one of its latest additions.
...moreWapping branch 020 7680 8900
Kew Bridge, TW8
The Kew Bridge development offers a selection of luxury apartments that blends seamlessly into the river frontage and treats tenants to spectacular maritime views. The development is neighboured by fashionable Richmond with its notable park and riverside locations that also provide fine dining and shopping experiences.
...moreKew branch 020 8326 1960
Kew Bridge West, TW8
Symmetrically arranged around a fifteen-storey focal point, the residential apartments at the Kew Bridge West property development, offer a stylish enclave of riverside luxury with special emphasis on light, space and creativity.
...moreKew branch 020 8326 1960
London Dock, E1W
A base for unloading valuable commodities is now a bespoke accommodation choice for City professionals looking to rent in East London.
...moreWapping branch 020 7680 8900
One Tower Bridge, SE1
London Bridge has become a magnet to corporate professionals and One Tower Bridge is high on their list of desirable rental properties. In order to enjoy the finer things in life, City workers are looking to cut their commuting times to the absolute minimum - so an apartment in SE1 makes perfect sense.
...moreWapping branch 020 7680 8900
Sovereign Court, W6
Hammersmith has always been high on the list for renters who want to get into central London quickly and be able to reach check-in at Heathrow Airport in under 20 minutes, and new property developments such as Sovereign Court provides a great option.
...moreHammersmith branch 020 8600 0960