China's stock market is one of the world's worst performers in 2012, and government controls have kept property prices in check, making corporate bonds one of the few bright spots for Chinese investors.
"These intermediaries help buyers and sellers contact each other at a low cost, but do not engage in other estate agent activities, so it is unfair to expect them to go out and check all the property details of all the sellers on their websites, " said the new consumer affairs minister, Jo Swinson.