Zhengzhou bans singles below 20 from buying homes

Singles aged less than 20 who not already own homes are no longer allowed to buy homes in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province, according to the city's housing management bureau on Monday.

A new policy that started in the central China city on Sept 1 will permit singles aged 20 or older to buy only one home in the city.

"It is aimed at making Zhengzhou bid farewell to its title as one of China's top 10 cities in terms of housing price growth," said Wang Wanpeng, chief of the city's housing management bureau.

In July, the price growth rate of Zhengzhou's newly built homes ranked fourth nationwide. The city also became the fastest growing second-tier city in terms of housing prices, according to 21st Century Business Herald.

Statistics show that the average price of urban apartments per square meter in the city was 6,928 yuan ($1,100) in December 2012. It is expected to rise to 7,500 yuan this year, 21st Century Business Herald said.

But netizens have questioned the necessity of the policy, arguing that people under 20 have no money to buy apartments unless they are from rich families.