Hong Kong internet sensation “Mrs Ho” has said she will not register her husband as a household member in her public rental flat despite authorities’ warning that the property could be reclaimed if the couple continues living together.
The 43-year-old mainland Chinese woman, who has become the talk of the town in recent months due to her whirlwind romance and marriage with her 76-year-old Hong Kong husband, on Wednesday said he had stopped staying in her flat since last Friday.
“I will not add my husband’s name to the tenancy agreement for sure. It will obstruct him from getting back his money,” Mrs Ho said in a live stream.
Local media had previously reported that a HK$4.5 million (US$578,000) joint account held by Mr Ho and his daughter was emptied out when the latter learned she had a new stepmother.
“Everyone wants me to add my husband’s name [to the tenancy agreement] so he won’t be able to take back the money. There will be conflict if he wants the money back,” she said, without mentioning a sum in her live stream.
According to housing policy, a two-person household living in a public rental flat will be evicted if they have assets worth over HK$1.98 million.
Mrs Ho said on Wednesday she had had a discussion with housing authorities last Friday, and that she had crossed the border to Shenzhen with her husband to spend a night.
She added that the couple had stayed in Hong Kong hotels over the past few nights, maintaining “he no longer stays at my place”.
The couple have appeared on Hong Kong prime-time television and flaunted some of the luxury gifts Mr Ho had given Mrs Ho, including a Rolex watch and diamond ring said to have had cost a total of more than HK$200,000.
Housing authorities have been investigating whether “Mr Ho and Mrs Ho” have contravened tenancy regulations.
The Housing Department said on Tuesday Mrs Ho must register her husband as a household member in the tenancy agreement before he would be allowed to live in their rental flat, adding officials had yet to receive an application from her.
Tenants of public rental flats can apply to add their spouse to the tenancy after filling in an application form that includes a statement of income and asset declaration.
If a tenant allows a non-household member to live in their flat, authorities have a right to terminate the tenancy.
