Core Viewpoint - Dongguan's housing and urban-rural development bureau, along with the market supervision bureau, has issued a notification to standardize the housing rental market and address the issue of illegal surcharges on water and electricity fees, introducing a revised rental contract template for residential properties [1][3]. Summary by Relevant Sections Rental Contract Template - The new rental contract template specifies that water and electricity fees must adhere to the rates published by the Dongguan Development and Reform Bureau, ensuring that landlords cannot charge more than what they pay to utility companies [3][5]. - Landlords are prohibited from charging service or management fees disguised as water or electricity fees [3]. Implementation and Promotion - The notification emphasizes the importance of promoting the use of the new rental contract template among rental parties and guiding rental agencies in Dongguan to adopt it [5][11]. - The contract template is effective immediately upon issuance [5]. Background and Issues - Previous reports highlighted widespread illegal surcharges on water and electricity fees in Dongguan's urban villages, prompting the need for regulatory action [5][9]. - The market supervision bureau has noted an increase in complaints regarding illegal surcharges, particularly in urban villages where rental agreements are often informal and based on verbal agreements [9][12]. Regulatory Recommendations - The market supervision bureau suggests legislative measures to clarify illegal practices and establish penalties, as well as the implementation of direct metering for water and electricity to prevent surcharges [10][18]. - Recommendations include creating reference standards for shared costs and enhancing cooperation among various departments to regulate utility pricing in rental properties [10][18].