Frequently Asked Questions

17 2026-10

A supermarket shelf collapsed and injured a customer. Who should be held responsible for the compensation?

A Beijing lawyer explains who should compensate for customers injured by collapsing supermarket shelves: Generally, the supermarket should bear the responsibility. If the supermarket fails to fulfill its obligation of ensuring safety, it needs to compensate. If the injury is caused by a third party, the third party shall bear the supplementary liability.

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17 2026-10

How to transfer the ownership of the utilities (water, electricity, and gas) for a second-hand house?

A Beijing lawyer explains how to transfer the ownership of utilities (water, electricity, and gas) for a second-hand house: Settle all outstanding fees before and after the handover, confirm the meter readings, and then take the property certificate and identity proof to the relevant service counters to handle the name change procedure.

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17 2026-10

How to transfer the housing maintenance fund

A Beijing lawyer explains how to handle the transfer of the housing maintenance fund: it is transferred along with the house, and after the transfer, the management agency or the entrusted bank needs to be changed. It is necessary to settle the unpaid funds that should be paid.

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17 2026-10

Is it safe to use the fund supervision system for the down payment of a second-hand house?

A Beijing lawyer explains whether the supervision of down payment funds for second-hand houses is safe: It is relatively safe. The funds are held by a third-party custodian and disbursed after the transfer of ownership, which significantly reduces the risk of buyers losing both their money and the property.

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17 2026-10

Can I claim compensation if the agent conceals the defects of the house?

A Beijing lawyer explains whether it's possible to claim compensation if an agent conceals defects in a house: It's possible to argue that the agent has an obligation to provide honest information, and if the agent conceals major defects, they should compensate or refund the agency fee.

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17 2026-10

Do both spouses need to be present when transferring ownership of a second-hand house?

A Beijing lawyer explains whether both spouses need to be present for the transfer of a second-hand house: For jointly-owned properties, the consent of all owners is required. Usually, both parties need to be present, and a notarized power of attorney can be used for delegated handling.

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17 2026-10

What should I do if the appraised value of a second-hand house is lower than the transaction price?

A Beijing lawyer explains what to do if the appraised value of a second-hand house is lower than the transaction price: You can negotiate a price adjustment, ask for a reassessment by another appraiser, increase the down payment, and stipulate the loan terms in the contract.

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17 2026-10

Does the age of a second-hand house have an impact on the loan application?

A Beijing lawyer explains whether the age of a second-hand house has an impact on the loan application: It will affect the loan term and loan-to-value ratio. For some older houses, the loan-to-value ratio may be reduced, the interest rate may be increased, or the loan application may even be rejected.

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17 2026-10

Is it legal to privately trade military housing units?

A Beijing lawyer explains the legal effect of private transactions involving military-owned housing: such transactions are usually invalid or unenforceable, as the ownership of the property is special and cannot be sold to local residents, making the risks extremely high.

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17 2026-10

Can shared-equity houses be listed for sale on the market?

A Beijing lawyer explains whether shared-equity housing can be listed for sale: Subject to special policies, shares can usually only be transferred after five years, and there are regulations on the process and price.

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17 2026-10

After buying a house, should I pay the rent to the new landlord?

A Beijing lawyer explains who should be paid the rent after buying a house: After the transfer of ownership, the right to collect the rent belongs to the new landlord. The rent that has expired or been collected before the settlement date shall be paid to the original landlord according to the agreement.

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17 2026-10

What should you pay attention to when buying a second-hand house with a lease?

Beijing lawyers explain the precautions for buying second-hand houses with leases: verify the lease term and rent, handle the issue of the sale not terminating the lease and the right of first refusal, and clarify the transfer of ownership and the ownership of the rent.

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17 2026-10

How many days of absenteeism are needed to terminate the contract?

A Beijing lawyer explains how many days of absenteeism it takes to terminate a contract: There is no unified legal stipulation on the number of days, which depends on the legally valid rules and regulations. Typically, it's three consecutive days or a total of five days.

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17 2026-10

Is leaving without saying goodbye considered as absenteeism from work?

A Beijing lawyer explains whether leaving without notice counts as absenteeism: Absenteeism can be determined if an employee fails to request leave without a valid reason, but this must be in accordance with a legally valid attendance reward and punishment system.

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17 2026-10

How is the salary calculated for an employee who resigns automatically?

A Beijing lawyer explains how to calculate the salary for an employee who resigns automatically: The salary for the work already provided should be paid in full, and the employer is not allowed to deduct it on the grounds of the employee's automatic resignation. Any losses must be supported by evidence.

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