A man in China bought a flat on the 34th floor of a building that only has 32 floors. He received no compensation from the developer.
The buyer, surnamed Li, purchased the apartment in a residential tower in an unnamed Chinese city. The building was marketed as having 34 floors, but it was built with only 32. Li's flat, which he paid for in full, does not exist.
A phantom floor that cost real money
Li signed a purchase agreement for a unit on the 34th floor. The developer, whose name has not been disclosed, sold apartments on floors that were never constructed. Li only discovered the discrepancy after the building was completed and he went to inspect his property.
Local authorities confirmed that the building has 32 floors. The developer did not build the top two floors that were advertised and sold. Li has not received a refund or any form of compensation.
Why the missing floors matter to residents
In China, apartment buyers often purchase units years before construction finishes. They rely on floor plans and marketing materials. When a developer sells a flat on a floor that does not exist, the buyer is left with no property and no legal recourse unless they take the developer to court.
Li's case has drawn attention because it highlights a gap in consumer protection. Buyers in China's overheated housing market sometimes sign contracts for apartments that are never built. The developer in this case has not offered to return Li's money.
A building with no top
The building stands as built, with 32 floors. The 33rd and 34th floors were never added. Li's apartment, which he believed was on the 34th floor, is a void. The developer has not explained why the floors were omitted or why they were sold.
Local media reported that Li is seeking legal advice. He may file a lawsuit against the developer. Other buyers in the same building may also be affected.
The case shows how a simple numbering error can cost a homeowner everything. In a market where trust in developers is already fragile, a phantom floor is a hard lesson.
