THE state of disrepair of household buildings, evident in falling exterior tiles, was a common worry last year among residents of the Shuiyan Mingju community in Beijing’s Haidian District. Dissatisfaction with their property management company and the need to have a say in repairs and apportionment of related costs prompted Yu Lin and other householders to apply to the local administrative office for permission to set up a property owners’ committee. THE state of disrepair of household buildings, evident in falling exterior tiles, was a common worry last year among residents of the Shuiyan Mingju community in Beijing’s Haidian District. Dissatisfaction with their property management company and the need to have have a say in repairs and apportionment of related costs prompted Yu Lin and other householders to apply to the local administrative office for permission to set up a property owners’ committee.