Ans: Not necessarily. There is no explicit restriction on this in the law, and students can find a legal place of residence by any means.

Ans: To verify if the lessor is the owner, one can apply for a “Written Report on Property Registration” (commonly known as the “House Inspection Paper”) at Conservatória do Registo Predial (Property Registry Bureau) or at any Government Service Centre.

Ans: To rent an apartment in Macao, the law requires the lessee and the lessor to sign a written contract (tenancy agreement), and the signatures of both parties need to be notarized.

Ans: It is recommended that the tenancy agreement be signed in duplicate, notarized and kept by both parties.

Ans: When renting an apartment in Macao, it is generally necessary to pay an additional rent equivalent to one month to two months’ rent as a tenancy deposit when paying rent for the first time; the specific amount needs to be negotiated with the owner, and it is recommended to indicate this in the agreement.

Ans: In Macao, the general management fee will be paid by the lessor. Both parties are advised to clarify the relevant responsibilities before signing the tenancy agreement and set them out in the tenancy agreement.

Ans: The lessee and lessor are advised to clarify the maintenance obligations in the apartment before signing the tenancy agreement, and to have them clarified in the tenancy agreement.

Ans: The monthly rent is paid in a way agreed upon negotiated by both parties. It is generally recommended to pay by bank transfer and keep the relevant documents to avoid unnecessary disputes in the future.

Ans: If the apartment is rented as a whole unit when the tenancy agreement is signed, the rent must be paid as agreed in the tenancy agreement.

Ans: Macao Legal Affairs Bureau Legal Enquiry Hotline (8987 2233)