{
  "id": 17328363,
  "title": "Scary deals? What makes Hong Kong shun death-linked homes while France embraces the risk",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/scary-deals-what-makes-hong-kong-shun-death-linked-homes-while-france-17328363",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T03:00:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post-hong-kong",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3372257/scary-deals-what-makes-hong-kong-shun-death-linked-homes-while-france-embraces-risk"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Despite Hong Kong being recognized as the most expensive housing market globally, many homebuyers still avoid purchasing properties linked to unnatural deaths such as murder, suicide, or fatal accidents. These discounted homes could potentially lose up to half of their value, while rent prices are usually around 20% lower than the market rate. This aversion contrasts sharply with certain parts of Europe, particularly France, where buyers are more open to purchasing such homes through a \"vente en viager\" arrangement. In this system, elderly homeowners sell their property for an upfront payment and receive monthly annuities for the rest of their lives. The main appeal for buyers is the significant discount, even if they have to wait years before claiming ownership. In Hong Kong, there is no official registry for haunted houses, which are properties associated with unnatural deaths. These properties often receive a zero valuation or are ineligible for valuation, making it challenging to secure a mortgage. The resale market for such properties is exceptionally difficult, causing banks to lower loan-to-value ratios and reject applications. Murders, especially those involving multiple victims or extensive media coverage, have the most severe impact on home assessments, potentially leading to outright mortgage rejections. While banks and surveying firms rely on internal databases and media reports to make these assessments, the severity of the incident and the property's resale history can impact the final valuation. In contrast to Hong Kong, France and several other European countries embrace the risk by allowing \"vente en viager\" arrangements, which enables sellers to receive additional retirement income while living in their homes, with annuities indexed to inflation. Buyers benefit from a discounted price reflecting the seller's life expectancy and spread-out payments over time.",
  "summary": "Even as Hong Kong remains the world’s least affordable housing market, many buyers still shun heavily discounted homes linked to an “unnatural death”, such as murder or suicide, according to property agents. Prices for such properties could fall by as much as 50 per cent, while rents were typically about 20 per cent below market rates, they added. The aversion stands in stark contrast to parts of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Nikkei Asia",
        "title": "Fatal dog attacks test Hong Kong's ambitions for a pet-friendly economy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/fatal-dog-attacks-test-hong-kongs-ambitions-for-a-pet-friendly-economy",
        "published": "2026-10-31T00:46:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}