15-009 · EVIDENCE A · SOURCE-SENSITIVE
Urban residents with hukou who want to live in the countryside can only rent rural houses — they must not buy homestead land or houses on it
城镇户口想搬去乡下住，只租农房，别买宅基地和宅基地上的房子
No upfront cost. The trade-off is that the house remains the landlord’s property; the maximum single lease term is 20 years, after which a new agreement must be negotiated.
People with urban hukou are expressly prohibited by national regulations from buying homestead land, rural houses, or “small-property houses” in villages. Even if villagers claim “a written contract suffices,” paying money does not transfer ownership of the property. To reside long-term in the countryside, one must sign a lease agreement limited to 20 years per term, with renewal possible thereafter.
A
Move “Urban residents with hukou who want to live in the countryside can only rent rural houses — they must not buy homestead land or houses on it” 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: “People with urban hukou are expressly prohibited by national regulations from buying homestead land, rural houses, or “small-property houses” in villages. Even if villagers claim “a written contract suffices,” paying money does not transfer ownership of the property. To reside long-term in the countryside, one must sign a lease agreement limited to 20 years per term, with renewal possible thereafter.” 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
9. Urban residents with hukou who want to live in the countryside can only rent rural houses — they must not buy homestead land or houses on it
Cost: No upfront cost. The trade-off is that the house remains the landlord’s property; the maximum single lease term is 20 years, after which a new agreement must be negotiated.
In plain terms: People with urban hukou are expressly prohibited by national regulations from buying homestead land, rural houses, or “small-property houses” in villages. Even if villagers claim “a written contract suffices,” paying money does not transfer ownership of the property. To reside long-term in the countryside, one must sign a lease agreement limited to 20 years per term, with renewal possible thereafter.
Benefit: Official documents from the General Office of the State Council make clear: “Urban residents must not purchase homestead land, rural houses, or ‘small-property houses’ in villages.” The same documents also state that after selling or leasing their homes, farmers cannot reapply for homestead land. A 2019 joint directive from the Central Rural Work Leading Group Office and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reiterates this ban while outlining a legal alternative: urban residents may rent rural houses for residence or business use, provided lease terms do not exceed 20 years and are mutually agreed upon upon renewal.
Evidence grade: A
Sources: General Office of the State Council of China (2007). Notice on the Strict Implementation of Laws and Policies on Rural Collective Construction Land (Guobanfa [2007] No. 71). <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2008-03/28/content_2395.htm>; Office of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (2019). Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Rural Homestead Land (Zhongnongfa [2019] No. 11) Part 5 and 6. <https://www.moa.gov.cn/govpublic/NCJJTZ/201909/t20190920_6328397.htm>
Notes: Homestead land is allocated solely to registered villagers for construction purposes. When renting a rural house, a written contract must specify the lease term, rent amount, permission for renovations, and how any renovation costs are handled at lease end. Leases exceeding 20 years — such as 50- or 70-year terms — are illegal; likewise, paying rent for multiple years upfront is prohibited. Additionally, it is illegal to use homestead land for building villas, large estates, or private clubs; paying villagers to “co-build” such structures also violates regulations.
Read the complete Chinese source and notes
9. 城镇户口想搬去乡下住，只租农房，别买宅基地和宅基地上的房子
成本: 不花钱。代价是房子不归你，租期一次最长 20 年，到期要重新和房东谈
说人话: 城镇户口的人不能到农村买宅基地、农民的房子或者「小产权房」，国家文件明令禁止。村里人说「写个合同就行」也不行，钱付出去，房子也成不了你的。想在乡下长住，就签租赁合同，一次最长签 20 年，到期再续。
收益: 国务院办公厅的文件写得很明白：「城镇居民不得到农村购买宅基地、农民住宅或『小产权房』。」同一份文件还规定，农民卖掉或者租出住房以后，再申请宅基地不予批准。2019 年中央农办和农业农村部的文件又说了一遍：「严禁城镇居民到农村购买宅基地。」同一份文件给出了合法的路：城镇居民可以租农房居住或者经营，租赁合同的期限不得超过二十年，到期双方可以另行约定
证据等级: A
来源: 国务院办公厅 (2007). 关于严格执行有关农村集体建设用地法律和政策的通知（国办发〔2007〕71 号）. <https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2008-03/28/content_2395.htm>；中央农村工作领导小组办公室、农业农村部 (2019). 关于进一步加强农村宅基地管理的通知（中农发〔2019〕11 号）第五、六部分. <https://www.moa.gov.cn/govpublic/NCJJTZ/201909/t20190920_6328397.htm>
备注: 宅基地就是村里分给本村村民盖房的地，只能分给本村人。租农房时和出租的农户签书面合同，写清租期、租金、能不能装修改建，以及装修的钱到期怎么算。文件规定租期不超过 20 年，别签「租 50 年」「租 70 年」这类合同，更别一次付清多年租金。文件还禁止下乡用宅基地盖别墅大院和私人会馆，别出钱给村民「合建」。
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