I hate that "I haven't been paid yet so I can't pay you" logic, and it's unfortunately not limited to China. I always pay my people when they've finished to my satisfaction, not when the client pays me, but I digress...

You can work out provisions in your contract which stipulate that payment is due XX number of days after delivery, and not after all payments have gone through. There are penalty percentage scales you can work in (XX% tacked on per week of delayed payment, etc) This has the added bonus of communicating your expectations to the client.

I have some of these worked into many of my contracts. It usually works, but not always. Sometimes I just have to decide if it's more important to get paid now, or to keep the client.

I use a tank for my grill, and have never had issues. AlexKMG has the right of it. Check/change your hoses regularly, keep the tank ventilated and turn off the valve when not in use or out of the house.

The gas delivery folks are usually nice and helpful. One even helped me replace a valve on my grill. Have them check out your setup when you do first install.

Most of the restaurant fires you hear about from carelessness and cutting corners. You see them tossing those bottles around like garbage, buying the cheapest hoses and never bothering to replace them. If you approach gas with a bit of common sense, you'll be just fine.

My experience this time last year was that the markets were open, but at least half of the shops inside were closed. If you really need something, go ahead down there. You just might have to do a bit more walking and searching than normal.

I've read quite a few contracts in my day, and the agent ones tend to be pretty fair for tenants, including provisions preventing the landlord from raising the rent mid-contract, giving tenants right of first refusal on sale of the home, listing penalties for breach of contract (both sides), and giving terms for the refund of the agent's fee.

The reason they're like that is because they have to follow local real estate and contract law. When you negotiate your own contract, you have to be careful to cover all the bases, both to protect yourself, and to avoid creating an invalid one.

Agents generally charge the equivalent of one month's rent (paid by the renter) for their services.

To find an agent, simply go to the general area you want to live in, and walk around. The agent offices have their windows covered in square pieces of paper with sale and rental listings.

It's a quick way to see a lot of apartments, but there are a few drawbacks:

- The fee
- Getting put in the agent's sales database (I still get calls from the agency I used in Beijing two years ago)
- Agents will often take you to tons of houses that have nothing to do with your requirements (ie number of bedrooms, price point, neighborhood, etc), hoping you'll just get tired and pick one, or something like that.

Be prepared to be firm about your requirements. If it's the wrong size, price or location, simply don't go to look at the place.

When you find a place you're interested in, here are a few pointers:

- Agent fee is equal to one month's rent, paid by you
- Deposit is equal to one month's rent
- ALWAYS demand to see the landlord's title to the apartment you are renting, and compare the name with the one on their photo ID. You should get copies of both on signing
- ALWAYS get a contract. If you're using an agent, use their standard printed contract. They are usually quite fair.
- Payment period is usually three months at a time. Some landlords want more, but I'd advise against paying the full year (standard contract length) because then you have no leverage in a dispute.
- Some older neighborhoods in Kunming still close their gate at midnight. If you see a big rusty iron gate at the entrance, ask the guard (NOT the agent or landlord) if they close at night. It's a pain because every time you miss the curfew, you have to pay the guard to let you in.