From December 22 to 23, the National Housing and Urban-Rural Development Work Conference was held in Beijing. The conference proposed initiatives to enhance property service quality, explore new coordination models involving neighborhood committees, homeowners' associations, and property service enterprises under the leadership of community Party organizations, and promote the "property services + lifestyle services" model to extend property services into households.
Peng Yu, Deputy Research Director of the Property Division at China Index Academy, noted that standardizing the property management market and improving service quality are critical policy directions with far-reaching implications. These measures not only help stabilize housing consumption expectations but also facilitate the transition of the real estate market from a development-focused to an operations-focused model.
**Standardizing Property Services** To elevate service quality, cities like Beijing and Shenzhen have recently introduced new property service regulations to address industry pain points with targeted measures. For instance, starting January 1, 2026, Beijing will conduct biannual comprehensive evaluations of property service enterprises in residential projects. The results will serve as a basis for differentiated regulatory oversight by authorities. Meanwhile, Shenzhen has optimized its special maintenance fund management, adjusting mandatory cost-review rules for projects exceeding 100,000 yuan and granting homeowners' associations greater decision-making autonomy to address public concerns about difficulties in using maintenance funds.
On December 19, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, along with other departments, released the "Beijing Residential Project Property Service Enterprise Comprehensive Evaluation Management Measures (Trial)" to regulate industry practices and improve service standards. The measures outline scoring rules, evaluation procedures, cycles, and result applications, aiming to establish a rating system and evaluation records for property enterprises. These evaluations will guide homeowners in selecting service providers and assist authorities in implementing differentiated supervision.
Earlier in May, the Beijing Municipal Government Office issued a three-year action plan (2025–2027) to deepen property management reforms and enhance service quality, which included establishing a comprehensive evaluation system for residential property enterprises. The plan mandates periodic evaluations and public disclosure of results to aid homeowners in making informed choices.
Peng Yu highlighted that Beijing’s evaluation system, with its clear quantitative metrics, provides an objective basis for government oversight and precision policies, steering the industry toward standardization and regulation.
This year, provinces like Jiangsu, Hunan, and Shanxi have also introduced policies to promote high-quality development in the property service sector. In June, Shanghai’s Housing Administration released an action plan to improve residential property services, emphasizing transparency, service upgrades, and long-term regulatory mechanisms.
**Innovating Funding Sources** "Property services directly impact residents' daily lives, and improving quality can effectively address issues like facility maintenance, environmental management, and safety, enhancing happiness and community belonging," Peng Yu stated. Professional and standardized services reduce disputes, foster harmony, and contribute to a collaborative governance framework. For enterprises, high-quality services boost homeowner satisfaction and loyalty, improving fee collection and renewal rates while driving business growth.
Yan Yuejin, Deputy Director of the Shanghai E-House Real Estate Research Institute, emphasized that property services are closely tied to residents' pressing concerns, making service quality a priority. He noted the need for efficiency and quality improvements, alongside innovations in funding sources like maintenance funds and housing inspections.
Peng Yu suggested future policies should increase guidance and financial support, such as incorporating service upgrades into funding for old neighborhood renovations and community development projects. Tax incentives and financial aid could also encourage enterprises to undertake energy-saving and elderly-friendly upgrades, ensuring sustainable industry growth. Additionally, policies should be tailored to diverse urban and community needs, aligning with major initiatives like urban renewal for precise implementation.
Yan Yuejin pointed out that scientific pricing of property fees and ensuring residents perceive service improvements are key to elevating quality. Emerging services, such as food delivery access and elevator management, reflect evolving demands. Future efforts should address market feedback to further enhance service levels.