SHANGHAI: New guidelines issued by the city's housing bureau that discourage landlords from offering "group rents" have sparked debate among local people.

According to the rules released on Monday, rooms should be let only to individuals and families and the total floor space should equate to not less than 5 sq m per occupant.

Landlords are also encouraged to stop renting out individual beds and sub-dividing rooms. The local media has often reported cases of poor safety standards in overcrowded, partitioned apartments.