[2] In February 2025, a case involving a septuagenarian who received four relocation apartments and sold them multiple times drew widespread attention. Without obtaining property certificates, the elderly man sold the four relocation apartments up to 16 times, suspected of contract fraud. This incident not only caused huge losses to buyers but also sparked public reflection on the question: "Can houses without certificates be bought?"

[3] Event Review

[4] Old Xue, over seventy, originally lived an ordinary life. However, on March 14, 2019, he signed a land acquisition housing compensation agreement and was allocated four relocation apartments totaling 303.79 square meters. At that time, except for one quasi-ready apartment, the other three were still under construction, with delivery dates and property certificate processing undetermined. Encouraged by his friend Old Zhu, Old Xue decided to sell the apartments to improve his life with the proceeds. Priced far below market value, these apartments quickly attracted many buyers. Through agent Xiao Miu's operations, Old Xue signed contracts with multiple buyers in a short time, receiving a total of 10.6 million yuan in down payments.

[5] However, as the delivery date approached, Old Xue, having squandered the money, could not fulfill the delivery obligation. Buyers filed lawsuits one after another, and the court ordered Old Xue to return the down payments and pay penalties for breach of contract. Trapped in difficulties, Old Xue and Old Zhu hatched an even crazier plan, continuing to sell the remaining apartments. In the end, Old Xue signed contracts for his four apartments a total of 16 times, and he was arrested by the procuratorial authorities on suspicion of contract fraud.

Can you buy a house without a title deed?

This incident serves as a wake-up call: houses without title deeds should never be bought lightly! Relocation resettlement houses are usually not allowed to be transferred within three years of obtaining the title deed. Buying such houses carries enormous risks.

First, houses without a property title deed are not protected by law. The buyer cannot prove ownership of the house or enjoy the rights and benefits associated with it. Once a property rights dispute arises, the buyer will be in a very disadvantageous position.

Second, buying a house without a title deed may face the risk of delayed delivery or even failure to deliver. Cases like Old Xue's are not uncommon; some sellers may squander the down payment and fail to deliver the house on time. The buyer not only suffers financial losses but may also face a lengthy legal process.

Furthermore, buying a house without a title deed may also face the risk of the landlord raising the price. Since the house has no title deed, the landlord can breach the contract at any time and demand a price increase. The buyer will be put in a passive position, unable to protect their legitimate rights.

How to avoid risks?

To avoid the risks of buying a house without a certificate, homebuyers should take the following measures:

Verify the property ownership information: Before purchasing a house, be sure to verify the property ownership information to ensure the house has a legal property certificate.

Choose formal channels to buy a house: Purchasing a house through a legitimate real estate agent or developer can reduce the risks of buying.

Sign a formal purchase contract: When buying a house, sign a formal purchase contract and clearly specify key terms such as delivery time and payment method.

Keep relevant evidence: During the purchase process, keep relevant evidence, such as the purchase contract and payment receipts, to protect your legal rights in case of disputes.

　　结语

The case of a seventy-year-old man who received four apartments from relocation and sold them 16 times, suspected of contract fraud, provides a profound lesson. Buying a house without a certificate carries great risks. Homebuyers should stay vigilant, choose formal channels to buy a house, and verify property ownership information. Only in this way can they ensure their legal rights are protected.