Title: Chinese Tenant‘s Shocking Peternakan Ayam in Affordable Apartment
In an unexpected turn of events, a property owner in China recently discovered that their affordable flat had been transformed into an unintended poultry farm. The upset landlord only found out about the unusual use of their property after two years of daños activity, upon arriving at their flat earlier this month.
According to the South China Morning Post, the anonymous owner was met with an overwhelming stench upon arriving at their flat. Upon entering, they found chickens roaming freely and decor that was severely damaged, requiring extensive renovations. The flat, intended for human habitation, was now home to dozens of chickens, with their coops strewn across the living space.
"I can’t believe the state of it. The smell is terrible, the floors and walls are badly damaged. It needs a complete renovation to make it habitable again," the owner said in their viral post, expressing their outrage at the situation.
Upon arriving at the property, the owner found the tenant in their bedroom. The owner revealed that the repair costs would exceed the two years’ worth of rent, and they sought advice from netizens on how to deal with such a situation.
Legal expert Zhang Ying from Jilin Subang Law Firm responded to the incident, explaining to Jilin TV, "The Chinese Civil Code allows landlords to terminate the lease if tenants use the property for purposes other than residence. Even if the contract doesn’t specify the usage, landlords can still seek compensation for damage caused by the tenant’s improper use."
This is not an isolated incident in China. In 2021, a woman in Shanghai sued a tenant for secretly subletting her apartment after modifying it. The property owner had specified in the contract that the apartment should not be altered or sublet, but the tenant disregarded these terms.
As more urban dwellers in China turn to affordable housing options, unexpected uses of properties, such as this poultry farm incident, may become increasingly common. Landlords and tenants alike must ensure clear communication and adherence to contract terms to prevent such disputes in the future.
