In ancient China, there were real estate transactions for a long time, and there were also specialized agencies engaged in real estate intermediary transactions. However, there was little "real estate fever", which was related to the long-term implementation of the "sales restriction order" of real estate transactions in various dynasties.
The real estate transaction reached prosperity in the Song Dynasty. The Song Dynasty has established many complete systems in terms of real estate transactions, some of which are restrictive provisions for the objects to be sold. When there is a real estate to be sold, the owner must first consult with the clan members and neighbors. These people have the right of first refusal, that is, the house in hand cannot be freely traded, but must first ask relatives and neighbors whether they want to, They can only sell them when they don't want to, which is another meaning of "asking for help". This system was not only implemented in the Song Dynasty, but also used in all the dynasties after the Song Dynasty. Until the Republic of China, there was often a notice in the newspaper that "a house has been sold, and if the owner's clansmen and neighbors have any objection, please contact the buyer immediately".
The basic starting point of restricting the objects of real estate sales is to curb mergers. The Western Han Dynasty's "Two Year Law · Household Law" stipulates: "If you want to buy a house for the benefit of others, do not compare it with their house." That is, if you want to buy a house, the house you want to buy must be close to your existing house. At the same time as this kind of "sales restriction order" was implemented, each dynasty also had more stringent requirements on the sale of property to officials. For example, in the early years of the Yuan Dynasty, it was stipulated that no one was allowed to sell property to Mongolian officials who worked in Jiangnan. This provision was aimed at the upsurge of forced purchase of property in the local area after some Mongolian officials worked in Jiangnan, which caused great public anger.
The Ming Dynasty was famous for "governing officials with great respect". The regulations on the purchase of property by officials were more strict, which stipulated that "where there is a magistrate, he shall not buy land and houses at any place he sees. If he violates the regulations, he shall be whipped fifty times, dismissed, and the land and houses shall be used by officials." In other words, no one shall sell property to local officials, and officials themselves shall not purchase it. Those who violate the regulations shall be dismissed on the spot, No matter what the value of the property purchased is, the officials involved will suffer 50 penalties, and the houses bought with money will also be confiscated.
Similar restrictions in the Qing Dynasty were tightened, stipulating that "the flag officers who have served in other provinces and had property purchasers in their posts will be restricted and ordered to change their prices and return to the flag. If there is concealment and failure to report, the property will be found out and the local officials will ignore it, and the local officials will be dealt with as usual". That is to say, if officials purchase property in their posts, not only the parties concerned will be dealt with, but also those who fail to report will be seated, In places where such incidents occur, relevant local officials should also take some responsibility.
In ancient China, at least after the Song Dynasty, it was necessary to be very careful when selling property to officials, because it was easy to violate relevant laws and regulations. If you were not careful, the property involved would be identified as stolen money and goods, causing officials involved to lose their official positions and wealth.
After a series of restrictive measures mentioned above, people's enthusiasm for buying real estate has been greatly reduced, even some "just needs" are often suppressed, and many officials would rather rent than buy a house. Bai Juyi, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, served as a ninth grade schoolmaster in Chang'an when he first entered the official career. At first, he lived in a Taoist temple in Yongchong Square. Later, he rented several houses in Changle Square. At that time, Buzheng Square, Yongping Square, Xingdao Square and Changle Square were all concentrated areas of "rental houses". The officials in the Song Dynasty were well paid, but renting houses was also a common phenomenon.
At the same time as the "sales restriction", there were also many "purchase restriction" policies for real estate in ancient China, but each dynasty often focused on the "sales restriction" in the management and regulation of real estate. It is difficult to buy a house. Even if it can be traded, it will generate heavy intermediary fees and transaction taxes, which will also affect the determination of the individual comprehensive tax base. Naturally, people will not be keen on hyping real estate, which is the fundamental reason why "real estate fever" rarely occurred in ancient China.
(Author Chen Zhonghai is a scholar of literature and history)
