Minor adjustments to the housing purchase policies for non-Hu residents and foreign individuals? Shanghai Real Estate Trading Center hotline responds.

Regarding the recent execution guidelines for replacing home purchases in Shanghai, on August 15, a reporter called the Shanghai Real Estate Transaction Center hotline "962269" for consultation. Concerning the issue of home purchases for residents without local household registration, the hotline staff stated that no new policies have been implemented. According to the hotline personnel, families of non-local registered residents can sell their only property and exchange it for one housing unit anywhere in the city, with the ownership remaining consistent before and after the transaction. They do not need to provide social security or individual income tax proof. This guideline has been in effect since May 28, 2024. For families of non-local registered residents or adult single individuals selling part of their multiple properties, when purchasing again, the number of housing units and their locations must align with those of the sold propertiesselling a property outside the outer ring means they can only buy outside the outer ring; selling a property inside the outer ring means they can only buy inside the outer ring, exempting them from having to submit social security or individual income tax proof. This guideline has been in effect since February 26, 2026. For overseas individuals, the hotline staff indicated that after selling all their properties in Shanghai, they may exchange and purchase one housing unit in the city without needing to provide a foreign residence permit, a labor contract in the city that has been continuous for one year prior to the home purchase, or proof of social security and individual income tax payments for one year prior to the home purchase. However, they still need to sign a commitment letter for residing in the property purchased as an overseas individual. This guideline will take effect on July 29, 2026.