Hong Kong internet sensation “Mrs Ho” has declared that she will not register her husband as a household member in their public rental apartment, despite authorities warning that the property could be reclaimed if the couple continue to live together.
The 43-year-old mainland Chinese woman, who has been in the spotlight in recent months due to her whirlwind romance and marriage with her 76-year-old Hong Kong husband, said on Wednesday that he had not been to her apartment since last Friday.
“I will definitely not put my husband’s name on the rental agreement. That would prevent him from getting his money back,” Ms Ho said in a live stream.
Local media had previously reported that a joint account of Mr Ho and his daughter worth HK$4.5 million (US$578,000) was emptied when the latter learned she had a new stepmother.
“Everyone wants me to put my husband’s name (on the lease) so he can’t demand the money back. There will be conflicts if he wants the money back,” she said, without specifying an amount in her live stream.
According to the housing policy, a two-person household living in a publicly funded rental apartment will be evicted if the person’s assets exceed HK$1.98 million.
Ms Ho said on Wednesday that she had met with housing authorities last Friday and crossed the border into Shenzhen with her husband to spend the night.
She added that the couple had been staying in hotels in Hong Kong for the past few nights and stressed: “He is no longer staying with me.”
The couple appeared on prime-time Hong Kong television and boasted about some of the luxury gifts Mr Ho had given to his wife Ho, including a Rolex watch and a diamond ring, which were said to have cost a total of more than HK$200,000.
The housing authority is investigating whether “Mr. Ho and Mrs. Ho” have violated the rental regulations.
The housing authority announced on Tuesday that Mrs. Ho would have to register her husband as a household member in the rental agreement before he could live in the rented apartment. However, officials have not yet received an application from her.
Tenants of public rental housing can request their spouse to share in the rental housing by completing an application form that includes a declaration of income and assets.
If a tenant allows a person from outside the household to live in his apartment, the authority has the right to terminate the tenancy.
