Timeline: The road to marriage breakups

Late August

Rumors began circulating that the city would not allow people who get divorced to buy a home if they already have an apartment either jointly or under the name of either partner until the marriage has been ended for more than a year. It was rumored that divorced buyers would need a 50 percent down payment, instead of 30 percent.

Late August to early September

Some divorce offices in Shanghai see a surge in the number of applicants, and homebuyers flock to housing transaction centers, pushing daily deal numbers up by more than 60 percent from around 600 to more than 1,000.

Housing authorities deny rumors twice, saying that policymakers are not considering changing current polices on home buying.

September 8-9

Five social media accounts suspected of spreading rumors are shut down and 13 others are suspended from updating until the end of month.

Seven property agents are detained for allegedly creating rumors in a bid to sell apartments.

Wu Yiyao