There has been talk in Beijing that those who have been divorced multiple times will face further restrictions when it comes to buying homes. However, local authorities have announced that marriage history will not impact one’s ability to purchase a house in the capital, reports The Beijing Daily.
Buying property in the city can be complicated and has led to a rash of ‘scam marriages’ in recent years. In 2011, authorities placed restrictions on home buyers stating that those who do not possess a hukou (residential permit) cannot purchase property unless they can prove they have lived in Beijing for over five years. Without the proper paperwork, including tax and social security certificates, non-hukou holders are unable to purchase property.
Due to these restrictions, non-residents have had to get creative, which is where scam marriages come into play. Beijing residents will marry non-hukou holders, which legally enables them to purchase a home. Once the sale is final, the couple divorces.
Residents in Beijing who partake in these fake marriages are known as ‘house worms’ and can make hefty profits from desperate non-residents. One man claimed he made over RMB30,000 from one ‘marriage,’ the same article reported.
In 2011, Beijing introduced a policy outlawing the practice and began conducting thorough background checks to prevent such marriages. While these rules are still in place it appears that, despite the rumors, those with multiple divorces (including potential scammers) are still eligible to purchase property in the capital.
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