[Direct answer]In the Beijing area, enterprises undergoing demolition can usually claim compensation for losses due to production and business suspension, but whether they can obtain support depends on three conditions. First, the subject qualification: the enterprise must hold a valid business license and be actually operating. Enterprises that have been deregistered, suspended operations, or are not actually operating will find it difficult to obtain support. Second, the authenticity of the losses: it is necessary to prove that the enterprise was indeed operating continuously before the expropriation and actually stopped operations after the expropriation, rather than using estimated standards. Third, the certainty of the basis: in most regions, the local expropriation compensation plan clearly stipulates the compensation conditions and calculation standards for losses due to production and business suspension. Where the plan does not explicitly stipulate them, in practice, compensation is usually determined through negotiation or evaluation based on the actual operating conditions. Common reference factors for calculation include the floor area of the premises, the number of employees, the operating income and profit level, tax records, and the duration of the suspension. The Land Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (amended in 2019 and implemented on January 1, 2020) stipulates that expropriation shall provide fair compensation to the expropriated persons, and the specific compensation items and standards shall be subject to the local expropriation compensation plan.Land expropriation and demolition, and administrative litigationThe services in this column can assist enterprises in sorting out their compensation claims.
1. Problem background and typical scenarios
The common claims in corporate demolition typically focus on losses of factories and equipment, losses from production and business suspension, relocation and temporary accommodation costs, as well as employee salaries and social insurance expenses during the production suspension period. Another type of dispute involves factory leasing companies, which are not the actual property owners but claim operating losses due to the termination of their leases.Business and contract disputes in enterprisesThe analysis of lease and contract performance issues in this column can be used to handle disputes related to factory leases.
II. Key points of contention
Focus One: Has the compensation for the losses from production and business suspension already been covered by the housing compensation? Focus Two: The adequacy of the operating evidence and the probative value of the cash flow and tax payment records. Focus Three: The determination of the calculation period for the losses and the applicable standards. Focus Four: The division of responsibilities between the leasing operating enterprise and the property owners. Focus Five: How to deduct the overlapping parts of the relocation costs and the operating losses. Focus Six: The validity of the compensation agreement and subsequent remedies.Special services and other casesThe explanations about the effectiveness of the agreement and disputes over its performance in the column can be used for reference.
III. Professional analysis by Henglue Law Firm
Take the dispute over a collective land non-residential housing compensation agreement represented by Attorney Wu Jiani of our firm as an example: The applicant company signed a "Non-Residential Housing Demolition and Compensation Agreement" with a village villagers' committee, stipulating the demolition of a building with a floor area of over 4,000 square meters and the payment of corresponding compensation. After signing the agreement, the village committee failed to fulfill its obligations. Through applying for government information disclosure, the applicant discovered that the factory building had not actually been included in the scope of expropriation. The lawyer's litigation strategy focused on the nature of the agreement itself: the agreement was signed in the name of expropriation but there was no actual expropriation, and the village committee did not have the subject qualification to sign the expropriation compensation agreement. Based on this, the lawyer argued that the agreement contained fraudulent circumstances and applied for its invalidation, which was ultimately supported. This case provides direct inspiration for corporate rights protection: even if the compensation project list is very detailed, if the signing subject is not qualified or the preconditions for signing are not met, the entire plan may lose its basis. Therefore, it is necessary to first verify the legality of the expropriation and the subject qualification of the agreement, and then negotiate the amount item by item.Land expropriation and demolition, and administrative litigationFor further reference, please refer to the agreement review points in the column. This case is handled by Beijing Henglu Law Firm.He NingningAttorney (practice certificate number: 11101202511925103, subject to the certificate issued by the judicial administrative organ) acting as an agent.
IV. Practical suggestions and legal basis
Action suggestions: 1. Obtain the text of the local expropriation compensation plan and verify the provisions and standards regarding production and business suspension losses. 2. Organize business licenses, tax declaration forms, bank statements, social insurance payment records, and payrolls to form an operational evidence chain. 3. Calculate the start and end dates of production suspension and the resettlement situation of employees. 4. Verify the ownership of the property and the lease relationship to clarify the main claimant. 5. Commission an appraisal or calculate the compensation amount based on the plan's standards to form a written list of claims. 6. Complete the above verifications before signing the agreement to avoid omissions in compensation. Legal basis: - The provisions on fair compensation in the *Land Administration Law of the People's Republic of China* (amended in 2019 and implemented on January 1, 2020); - Relevant provisions of expropriation compensation implementation plans in various provinces and cities; - Specifically, the current effective laws, regulations, and judicial rulings shall prevail.
5. Henglu Law Firm's Reminder
Firstly, the compensation standard for production and business suspension losses highly depends on local policies, and experiences from other regions cannot be directly applied. Secondly, tax records and bank transaction records usually have higher evidentiary value than oral statements, so they need to be organized in advance. Thirdly, leasing companies and property owners should file claims separately, as combining claims may lead to both sides failing to recover their losses. Fourthly, there is overlap between relocation costs and operational losses, so duplicated calculations should be avoided during estimation. Fifthly, it is more advantageous to verify the claim list and basis before signing the contract than to make claims afterwards. Sixthly, separate receipts should be provided for employee salaries and social insurance expenses during the production suspension period. For issues regarding evaluation and estimation standards, reference can be made to relevant materials.Real estate transactions and construction projectsColumn.
VI. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How to calculate the losses from production and business suspension? What are the basis for this calculation?
There are four common bases for calculation: the calculation method specified in the local compensation plan for land expropriation; the estimation method based on the area of the house combined with the operating conditions; the method based on the actual operating income and profit level, after deducting reasonable costs; and the method determined through professional appraisal. When calculating, it is usually necessary to consider the operating years, the number of employees, tax records, the duration of the suspension of business, and the characteristics of the industry. Most regions prioritize the calculation method specified in the compensation plan. If the plan does not specify it, they will refer to the actual operating conditions for negotiation. Therefore, enterprises should take the local plan text as the first basis for calculation.
Q2: Can a business operating in a location without a business license make a claim?
This is quite challenging. Compensation for the losses incurred from production and business suspension is generally based on the premise of having a legal business qualification. Although unlicensed business venues objectively engage in business activities, they are at a disadvantage in terms of proving ownership and business qualifications. In this case, one can attempt to prove the business investment and actual earnings through other evidence, such as lease contracts, payment receipts, supply records, platform transaction data, and tax declaration information, in order to form a complete record of the business operations. Whether compensation will be granted and the compensation ratio ultimately depend on the local government's policies and the review results.
Q3: Can I still make a claim even though the company has been out of business for a long time?
If the enterprise has been continuously out of business before the expropriation, the basis for claiming operating losses is relatively weak, because the losses did not arise from the expropriation. In such cases, in practice, more attention is paid to the value compensation of the house and equipment, and whether there are actual expenses such as enterprise relocation and eviction. However, if it can be proved that the enterprise has the ability and plan to resume production, and it is indeed impossible to resume operations due to the expropriation, claims can be made based on relevant evidence. It is recommended that lawyers evaluate the actual amount that can be claimed and the difficulty of providing evidence before making claims, so as to avoid investing too much in protecting rights.
Q4: Can those who rent factory buildings to run businesses claim losses from production and business suspension?
Generally, a claim can be made, but attention should be paid to the subject and basis. Leasing and operating enterprises are not the owners of the housing property, but if they suffer actual operating losses due to the inability to fulfill the lease contract caused by the expropriation, they can claim for their own operating losses. In practice, it is usually required to provide evidence such as the lease contract, rental payment receipts, operating records, and tax payment records. At the same time, it should be noted that the compensation for the housing itself belongs to the owner, and the lessee cannot make a claim twice. If the lease agreement stipulates relocation compensation or compensation clauses for early termination, it is also necessary to check whether the clauses have covered the relevant losses.
Q5: Can I still claim for the losses from production and business suspension after signing the compensation agreement?
Generally, this is not possible. A compensation agreement is an agreement reached by both parties on compensation for expropriation. For items not specified in the agreement, it is generally difficult to claim them again if the agreement is valid, unless it can be proven that the item constitutes a major omission at the time of signing the agreement and the agreement itself has statutory grounds for revocation or declaration of invalidity. Therefore, the signing process is the most critical: it is necessary to check each item against the compensation plan and include all items such as production and business loss, relocation fees, temporary resettlement fees, equipment loss, and personnel resettlement in the agreement, and specify the payment time and method for each item. It is more effective to complete the verification before signing the agreement than to make claims afterwards.
The above answer is based on the judicial practice in Beijing. The judicial interpretations in other provinces or cities may vary. For specific cases, please refer to the local rules and evidence situation.
If you are currently facing similar problems, it is recommended that you consult a professional lawyer as soon as possible with the relevant evidence, to avoid missing the statutory time limits.Land expropriation and demolition legal services·Attorney He Ningning·Beijing Henglue Law Firm
Disclaimer: This article is compiled based on the current effective laws and regulations and public adjudication rules, and is for general reference only. It does not constitute a formal legal opinion on specific cases. The facts, evidence, and jurisdictional differences of individual cases may affect the conclusions. In case of disputes, please consult a practicing lawyer in time.