15-003 · EVIDENCE A · SOURCE-SENSITIVE
Real estate agents must not collect or remit rent and security deposits; payments go straight to landlords
中介不得代收代付租金和押金，钱直接给房东
No cost at all. It takes just a few minutes to verify the recipient before paying. The hard part is resisting pressure from agents who try to get you to send the money to them instead.
By regulation, real estate agents are prohibited from collecting or remitting rent and security deposits; all payments must go directly to landlords. Any time money passes through an agent’s hands, it creates one extra chance for them to abscond with the funds. If that happens, you lose both your rent payments and your right to stay in the property. Always confirm that the recipient’s name matches the name on the property title before paying.
A
Move “Real estate agents must not collect or remit rent and security deposits; payments go straight to landlords” to Future Me's calendar
The excuse
One more exception feels free because the bill arrives outside the current scene.
What feels good now
Today I keep a few minutes, a bit of persistence and avoid interrupting my default routine.
What the source says
The source summarizes the return this way: “By regulation, real estate agents are prohibited from collecting or remitting rent and security deposits; all payments must go directly to landlords. Any time money passes through an agent’s hands, it creates one extra chance for them to abscond with the funds. If that happens, you lose both your rent payments and your right to stay in the property. Always confirm that the recipient’s name matches the name on the property title before paying.” Evidence grade A. The original states the population, caveats, and sources; this is not a personal forecast.
Use the original facts and limits. For an urgent medical, safety, financial, or legal issue, contact a qualified local professional or service.
THE ENGLISH EDITION
Original recommendation and evidence
3. Real estate agents must not collect or remit rent and security deposits; payments go straight to landlords
Cost: No cost at all. It takes just a few minutes to verify the recipient before paying. The hard part is resisting pressure from agents who try to get you to send the money to them instead.
In plain terms: By regulation, real estate agents are prohibited from collecting or remitting rent and security deposits; all payments must go directly to landlords. Any time money passes through an agent’s hands, it creates one extra chance for them to abscond with the funds. If that happens, you lose both your rent payments and your right to stay in the property. Always confirm that the recipient’s name matches the name on the property title before paying.
Benefit: Administrative rules explicitly forbid real estate agencies from collecting or remitting rent and security deposits on behalf of landlords. This means agents have no legal authority to handle such payments. Every time money moves through an agent’s hands, the risk of them running off with the money rises significantly.
Evidence grade: A
Sources: State Council of China (2025). Housing Rental Regulations (National Order No. 812, effective on September 15, 2025) (Article 25). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202507/content_7032956.htm>
Notes: Double-check that the recipient’s name matches the name on the property title before making any payment. If it does not, ask for a written authorization first. Agents are only allowed to charge a commission fee for their matchmaking services.
Read the complete Chinese source and notes
3. 中介不得代收代付租金和押金，钱直接给房东
成本: 不花钱。付款前核对收款人，几分钟。难在要顶住中介让你把钱转给它的说法
说人话: 按规定，房租和押金不能由中介代收代付，钱直接付给房东。钱在中介手里过一道，就多一次它卷款跑路的机会。真跑了，你租金白交，还会被房东赶走。付款前核对收款人是不是产权证上的名字。
收益: 行政法规把「代收、代付住房租金、押金」列为房地产经纪机构的禁止行为，中介不能替房东收你的房租和押金。钱在中介手里过一道，就多一次卷款跑路的机会
证据等级: A
来源: 国务院 (2025). 住房租赁条例（国令第 812 号，2025 年 9 月 15 日施行）（第二十五条）. <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/202507/content_7032956.htm>
备注: 付款前核对收款人是不是产权证上的名字。不是本人的，问清楚，并留一份书面授权。中介只能收牵线撮合的居间服务费
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