Nothing to see here: Cheung Kong stands by 'no viewing' policy for tiny Hong Kong flats
Is it legal for Cheung Kong to make would-be buyers of flats at Mont Vert agree they can't view them? And with 8,000 vying for one, does it matter?
Netty Cheung was overjoyed when she first heard the news of the cut-price sale of new flats at Mont Vert, a housing development in Tai Po.
"A new flat in Hong Kong that costs less than HK$2 million? It must be a miracle," said the retiree in her mid-60s. She lives alone in a 300 sq ft flat in Yau Ma Tei for HK$10,000 a month.
"If I could get one of those cheap flats, there is no worry about my landlord increasing rents every two years."
But the developer, Cheung Kong (Holdings), has made a controversial requirement for buyers: they must sign agreements promising to buy without personally inspecting the flats before closing on the deal.
Officials, lawmakers, academics and property analysts condemned the demand, with some accusing the company of violating a law designed to prevent such requests.
Cheung Kong said in a statement that "the personal safety of those prospective buyers will be endangered" if flats ready in the first phase were opened for viewing while there was ongoing construction on the second phase.
A grave site is normally located in an area with good fung shui