Press "PandaGuides" above to follow us!
A landlord in Beijing is facing backlash after evicting a tenant with terminal cancer over fears the property’s value would drop if she died there. The tenant, surnamed Wang, rented the flat because of its proximity to a hospital, but her landlord, Zhang, became concerned after discovering her condition.
According to Red Star News, Zhang had leased the apartment at a reduced rate of 5,500 yuan (about US$770) per month, hoping to sell the property. In their lease agreement, Wang and her husband agreed to allow property viewings, with the contract valid until mid-November.
However, on September 4, Zhang posted an eviction notice, demanding the couple vacate within a week. Zhang said he decided to act after noticing Wang’s baldness during a viewing and later learning from her husband that she was terminally ill. Fearing that the apartment might become associated with death, a superstitious belief in China that can devalue properties, Zhang estimated the loss could be up to one million yuan (US$140,000).
Zhang also asked the couple to sign an agreement promising compensation if the apartment’s market value dropped due to Wang’s illness, which they refused. Wang’s husband argued that her health was a private matter and unrelated to the lease.
The dispute has sparked a heated debate on Chinese social media, with over 5,000 comments on Douyin. Many users condemned Zhang, calling his actions heartless and inhumane, while others empathized with his concerns about property value, although they believed he should offer compensation for breaching the contract.
As of now, the standoff between Zhang and the couple remains unresolved.
Source: SCMP
