SEVERAL local political advisers jointly raised a proposal suggesting the city government regulate industrial property rent amid widespread concerns over the increasing rates this year, according to the Southern Metropolis Daily.

Ju Xuecheng and other political advisers said in the proposal on regulating industrial property rent to create a sound business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that the increasing fees have caused heavy financial pressures on SMEs.

Ju said that rent has been raised by various means, including shortening lease tenures, modifying venues, decreasing useable space, and irregular bidding for property management companies.

A large group of old industrial parks boosted their rent from 20 yuan (US$2.91) per square meter to 45, 60 or even 80 yuan after they changed their names into innovational parks with a so-called modification, added Ju.

Ju therefore suggested the government speed up leasing legislation. Other political advisers advised that the authority regularly issue recommended prices for industrial housing, forbid property owners from reducing space utility rate, formulate a sample leasing contract for industrial property, promote an online signing procedure and let relevant associations play a role in preventing intermediaries and investors from disturbing the market.

The Shenzhen Municipal Science, Technology and Innovation Commission said in a response to the proposal that all information on innovative industrial properties managed by the commission has been published on their service platform and the monthly rent at these estates has been set at between 60 and 80 yuan per square meter.

Commission officials said that they will provide more affordable buildings for SMEs in high-tech zones to help reduce costs. The Shenzhen Municipal Industry and Information Technology Bureau also said that they will collaborate with the housing and construction bureau to stabilize the rent level in order to ensure there is enough development space for industries.

A management plan on industrial land published last year specified that the total area of industrial land in the city should be at least 270 square kilometers.

The commission said that over 190 enterprises received the government’s rent allowance with a combined value of 230 million yuan last year and the overall area was around 530,000 square meters.

(Wang Jingli)