19 Dec 2013
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/833108.shtml#.UrNuCOLWu0s
Buyer wins right to return ‘haunted’ house
Global Times | 2013-12-19 22:58:01
By Global Times |
Editor's Note:
Are you up on what the hundreds of millions of Chinese netizens are talking about? Take a moment and get the rundown of what's hot, what's trending, and what's drawing the most buzz on the Chinese blogosphere.
Net users are debating whether it's acceptable for property owners to sell "haunted" houses without notifying potential buyers beforehand, after a woman in Beijing recently made a sale to an unknowing customer for 4.8 million yuan ($790,000).
The home buyer, a woman surnamed Li, only found out after buying the home that it was "haunted" as the previous owner had committed suicide there. According to Chinese customs, this could lead "inauspicious" spirits to linger.
Li said that if she knew the case before, she would not have purchased the house. She took her case to court and won the right to "return" it.
Many people supported Li, saying it's only fair to expect home buyers to release "notorious" details before making a sale, but some said that it wasn't necessary to bend to such superstitious beliefs.
Net user evilbj said that from a legal standpoint, home sellers are obligated to inform buyers of the property's makeup, and as such, "haunted" information should be disclosed.
Others, meanwhile, were amused by the ruling, which they suspected was made as a result of the judge's own superstitions. They did not see what all the fuss was about.
"This is normal. Every house will have had someone die in it sooner or later," said Net user jdzhsj.
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