Beijing’s well-to-do angry as housing law forces them to mingle with poorer neighbours
A ban on partitions within communities means some wealthy homeowners are having to share their exclusive facilities with their less affluent neighbours
A social housing policy which is literally tearing down barriers between Beijing’s haves and have-nots is causing outrage among the city’s well-heeled residents.
The rule, which bars property developers from building walls and fences that segregate a community, is forcing some of the city’s wealthy homeowners to share their facilities and outdoor spaces with their less affluent neighbours.
Last week, Beijing’s housing commission reinforced the policy, warning builders they would not be granted pre-sale permits if they separated members of the same community with physical partitions.
In the most prominent case, residents of Jade Mansion, an upscale community outside the west third ring road, were told recently that the iron fence separating them from the adjacent subsidised housing project had to be torn down. Its removal means those who have been living on the less salubrious side of the partition will now enjoy equal access to the development’s premium amenities such as gardens and exercise equipments.
We pay eight to nine yuan per square metre per month as a property management fee, while they pay three yuan. How can it be fair that we all get to use the same facilities?
The sudden disappearance of this barrier – which has served a physical and psychological purpose – has not gone down well with residents of the private, luxury section of the community, who are furious to be losing exclusive access to amenities they say they are paying far more for.