China's online payment platform Alipay has launched a home renting service based on credit.

 

中国网络支付平台支付宝发起一项基于信用的房屋租借服务。

 

Alipay users with a "sesame credit" of 650 or above will be eligible¹ to rent houses via the Alipay app, pay their rent monthly, and without having to provide a deposit.

 

Sesame credit is Alipay's credit-scoring service.

 

In the past, tenants² have had to pay three months' rent upfront and provide one month's rent in advance as a deposit. The new method is expected to ease the financial pressures on renters.

 

Alipay also says that tenants will be able to sign their contracts digitally.

 

One million apartments in eight cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Zhengzhou have already been made available for rent via Alipay.

 

Alipay is also planning to establish credit documents concerning the rental³ activities of renters, home owners as well as people engaged in the rental industry on its rental platform by the end of this year.

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