{
  "id": 17330884,
  "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-17330884",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-31T03:00:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SCMP Business",
    "slug": "scmp-business",
    "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": "In Hong Kong's housing market, heavy discounts are often attached to properties linked to unnatural deaths, such as murder or suicide. These homes can see price drops of up to 50 per cent, and rents may drop about 20 per cent below market rates, according to property agents. This aversion contrasts sharply with Europe, particularly France, where buyers often purchase \"vente en viager\" properties at steep discounts. Under this system, elderly homeowners sell their homes for an upfront payment and receive monthly annuities until their death, allowing them to boost retirement income while remaining in their homes. Buyers benefit from significant discounts, even if it may take years to take possession. While there's no official registry for \"haunted houses\" in Hong Kong, properties associated with unnatural deaths face significant valuation challenges. Murders, especially sensational ones, can lead to a valuation of zero or ineligibility for valuation, making mortgage approvals difficult. Even suicides and fatal accidents can cause a decline in property value by at least 30 per cent. In contrast, France and several other European countries embrace the \"vente en viager\" arrangement, allowing sellers to receive additional retirement income while remaining in their homes. Buyers gain access to properties at substantial discounts, provided the seller's life expectancy is accounted for in the annuity payments.",
  "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."
}