Beijing municipal authorities on Wednesday announced further easing of home buying restrictions, lowering eligibility thresholds in an effort to stimulate demand as property prices in the Chinese capital continue to weaken. The move is part of a broader push by policymakers to stabilise the crisis-hit real estate sector.
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Under the revised rules, non-local residents without a Beijing “hukou” will now be eligible to purchase homes in the capital if they have paid income taxes in the city for at least one consecutive year, reduced from the previous requirement of two years. Officials said the change is aimed at attracting and retaining talent while supporting housing demand.
China’s top housing authority has pledged to stabilize the real-estate market, rolling out a package of measures centered on city-specific policies to reduce inventories and optimize housing supply, including controlling new supply in line with local conditions and greater… pic.twitter.com/cqBMlURH7M
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In another significant adjustment, families with more than one child will be allowed to buy an additional home in downtown Beijing. The policy marks a shift in the city’s traditionally strict controls on multiple home ownership, reflecting authorities’ growing concern over falling prices and sluggish transactions in core urban areas.
Mortgage conditions have also been relaxed. Second-home buyers using loans from China’s housing provident fund will now be required to make a minimum down payment of 25%, down from 30%. Analysts say the reduction could lower borrowing costs and encourage households to upgrade or invest despite the uncertain market outlook.
New home prices in Beijing have declined month-on-month over the past quarter, adding pressure on local governments to take stronger measures. Earlier this year, authorities scrapped purchase limits in suburban districts, though restrictions remained in place within the Fifth Ring Road, which surrounds much of the city’s central area.
The latest easing comes as Chinese officials pledge to intensify efforts to stabilise the property market in 2026 through city-specific policies, optimised housing supply and reduced inventories. Concerns about the sector have intensified after state-backed developer China Vanke recently sought extensions on bond repayments, underscoring persistent financial stress among major builders.
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While the new measures may provide short-term relief, market observers caution that a sustained recovery will depend on broader confidence, income growth and progress in resolving developers’ debt problems.