Um comentário no link de O JP World Expat parece indicar que é mais seguro se inscrever na delegacia de polícia local dentro de 24 horas após a assinatura do contrato de moradia:
They fined me a few RMB recently because I just moved to Hangzhou. I was staying in a hotel while looking for an apartment. I found an apartment, signed the contract and paid 3 months rent upfront but I still remained in the hotel 2 more days then checked out and fully moved in the apartment. The police said I had 24 hours to report this new housing contract as soon as I signed it regardless of not yet checking out of the hotel.