A woman in Taiwan recently discovered that her boyfriend, whom she had been splitting rent with for 10 years, was the actual homeowner and had used her payments to repay his mortgage.
After being together for 20 years, the couple decided to rent a flat rather than buy property. The boyfriend found a three-bedroom, one-bathroom flat with a monthly rent of NT$28,000 (US$900), which they divided equally without any lease agreement or documentation.
The woman only saw the supposed homeowner once, with any necessary repairs handled by external contractors. She trusted her boyfriend’s explanation that it was common practice in the rental industry.
Her boyfriend reassured her that the homeowner valued tenant privacy and resided far away, which is why he only dealt with him when necessary.
Looking back, the rent payment process seemed suspicious. After she paid her share to her boyfriend, he would give the money to the “owner,” claiming it was easier for him to handle the transactions due to the owner’s proximity to his work. He also expressed concern about the owner trying to pursue a romantic relationship with her.
In the 12th year of their relationship, the woman got a new job and suggested moving closer to her workplace. However, her boyfriend strongly objected, promising to find solutions for her commuting distance and take care of household responsibilities.
The woman believed they were preparing for marriage after 20 years together, but her boyfriend abruptly ended the relationship, accused her of laziness and pettiness, and told her to move out.
Coincidentally, a housing loan payment letter addressed to her boyfriend arrived at their flat, uncovering the truth that he was the actual owner of the property they had lived in for a decade.
“The letter appeared to have been deliberately forwarded, as the envelope had signs of being opened before,” the woman revealed.
The monthly mortgage payment was the same as her share of the rent, leading her to realize that she had unknowingly been paying off her boyfriend’s mortgage.
Her story has gained sympathy from online onlookers who provided advice on her legal rights to the property.
“So your boyfriend only paid the down payment and made you pay the 20-year loan for him? If your rent was paid through bank transfers, you might have a chance to reclaim the money. However, if you paid in cash, you might have to accept the loss,” suggested one commenter.
Another person added, “Your boyfriend could be guilty of fraud. Collect evidence and consult with a lawyer. Don’t confront your boyfriend yet, as it may alert him!” – South China Morning Post
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
