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Taipei landlord rents tiny balcony for NT$5,000

Landlord places an ad for a tiny 2 ping balcony in Taipei for NT$5,000 and he quickly finds a tenant

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Tiny "balcony apartment." (Image from 591.com.tw)

Tiny "balcony apartment." (Image from 591.com.tw)

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- A Taipei landlord recently placed an advertisement for a two ping (a ping equals 3.3 square meters) one-room apartment for NT$5,000 (US$164) per month, however netizens were astonished to find that the "apartment" was actually a narrow balcony and someone apparently rented it.

The landlord, surnamed Hung (洪), advertised a "one-room apartment" with shared bathroom and kitchen (雅房) on the fourth floor of a building on the 591 apartment rental website with a total area of two ping at a price of NT$5,000 per month. He managed to stuff a small mattress on the floor and covered it with a cotton comforter in what was actually a cramped balcony, normally used by most Taiwanese to dry their laundry.

Taipei landlord rents tiny balcony for NT$5,000
Image from 591 rental website.

He advertised the fact that he had installed air conditioning on the balcony and added a metal rack to store some personal belongings, but added that the electricity each day would be NT$6. Additional "amenities" for the little cubbyhole included access to a shared living room, dining room, and bathroom.

Amazingly, the landlord today at noon announced on 591 that "This room has already been rented out!"

Taipei landlord rents tiny balcony for NT$5,000
Image from 591 rental website.

Incensed by the ridiculous ad, netizens made sarcastic comments:

"Is this where the dog lives?"

"Gone mad trying to make money."

"Going from the coffin room to the next level."

"Happy bird cage person."

"What a luxurious doghouse."

"Wow, after you open your eyes, you'll see that the owner has no conscience."

"Even if you gave that to me for free I wouldn't want it."

"Mayor Ko, please hurry up and tear it down."