I don't think it is essential for the employer to provide accommodation or be the signatory on the lease because some teachers prefer to find their own accommodation.

The problem with this is new teachers who don't speak the language will have trouble finding houses on their own. Even people who understand chinese won't necessarily want to go through the trouble of finding their own place immediately in a new city as they get settled in.

One thing to keep in mind is the fact that crooked employers will offer the same salary to teachers looking for their own place as teachers who choose to live at school or company accomodations. The fact that crap employers will lie about salary along with giving and taking different amounts from teachers depending on whom they like/dislike or depending on the teachers' age, background, ethnicity, etc. makes this a risky proposition.