In Shenzhen, a man bought property jointly with his girlfriend but registered it solely in her name. After breakup, he gifted it to her—but when prices fell, she could not afford the 6,000-RMB monthly mortgage and asked him to take it back; he refused.

Social Context

Property registration disputes are common in China’s unmarried cohabitation arrangements, where the Marriage Law’s protections don’t apply. Courts typically uphold title deeds as definitive ownership evidence—making prenuptial-like agreements crucial, though socially stigmatized and rarely drafted without legal counsel.

Safety Tip

Unmarried couples purchasing property should execute a notarized co-ownership agreement specifying contribution ratios and exit clauses—separate from the deed itself.