Million-Dollar Nightmare: Woman Discovers Her Dream Home is a Former Murder Scene

Wang had purchased the 95-square-meter house in west Hangzhou in January 2021, attracted by its good school district and the city's pleasant living environment. She had signed a contract with the original owner, Zhang, and completed the transfer of ownership in March 2021. However, Zhang had requested to delay the handover of the house until March 2022, citing the need for her child to finish the school year. Wang agreed to this arrangement, which was included in the contract's supplementary clauses.

The truth about the house's past only came to light in October 2023, when Wang's mother was chatting with neighbors. The neighbors had been puzzled by Wang's decision to buy the house and had asked her mother about it. Upon discovering the house's tragic past, Wang immediately contacted the intermediary and Zhang, leading to a heated dispute. Wang then sought legal advice and sued Zhang, demanding a refund of the purchase price and compensation for damages.

The first trial has ruled in Wang's favor, with the court acknowledging that Zhang had failed to disclose the house's history of abnormal death, as stipulated in the contract. The contract explicitly included a clause stipulating that if the purchaser discovered the property had a history of violent crime, they could demand a refund and seek compensation. According to legal experts, Wang's success in the case can be directly attributed to the clear contractual stipulation.

However, Zhang has appealed the decision, arguing that the death occurred after the contract was signed but before the house was handed over to Wang. This technicality has led to a second trial, the outcome of which is still pending. Lawyers specializing in property law indicate that precedents for such cases generally favor the buyer. If a contract explicitly states that the house has not been the site of a non-natural death, and such an event is later discovered to have occurred, the buyer has grounds to request a refund and potentially compensation for any damages or distress suffered.

The case highlights the importance of transparency in property transactions and the need for buyers to be aware of their rights and obligations. It also underscores the necessity of conducting a multifaceted examination before buying a second-hand property, including inquiring with neighbors, consulting with seasoned real estate agents, questioning community workers, scouring local news archives, and reviewing court records. By taking these steps, potential buyers can avoid unwittingly purchasing a "murder house" or a property with other detrimental factors.

As Wang and her family continue to reside in the house due to financial constraints, the case serves as a cautionary tale for both buyers and sellers in the real estate market. The revelation of a house being a "murder house" can significantly impact its resale value, often leading to a substantial decrease in price. The judicial decision in this case reinforces the contractual obligations of sellers to provide full disclosure about the properties they are selling, especially regarding sensitive information that could influence a buyer's decision. As the real estate market continues to evolve, such precedents play a crucial role in protecting consumer rights and promoting transparency in property transactions.