China woman rents out office bathroom for Rs 545 per month amid soaring costs

The soaring cost of rent has forced many individuals into cramped and unaffordable living conditions, but one young woman in China has taken an unconventional approach to tackle the issue. Instead of renting an apartment, an 18-year-old woman in Hunan has chosen to live in the toilet at her workplace to avoid high rental fees.

The teenager, identified as Yang, works at a furniture store in Hunan, China.Unwilling to pay 800 yuan (approximately Rs 9,415) per month for rent, she instead negotiated with her employer’s wife to use the company’s restroom as her living space.

Earning 2,700 yuan (around Rs 31,800) per month, Yang found it difficult to afford accommodation and ultimately settled on paying just £5 (around Rs 545) per month to cover electricity and water costs.

Initially, she offered to pay £21 (Rs 2,290) per month, but her boss’s wife refused, allowing her to stay for a minimal amount.

Yang had the option to sleep in the showroom, but she felt that the open space was too exposed and scary at night. Instead, she chose the restroom for privacy and security.

“The office space felt too open and scary at night,” she explained.

For nearly a month, Yang has transformed the bathroom stall into a makeshift home. To create privacy, she hangs a large cloth over the stall doors and sets up a folding bed each night. To prevent disturbances, she ensures that the setup allows her to sleep undisturbed.

Despite the unusual living arrangement, Yang has adapted her routine efficiently.

She has installed a clothing rail for storage.

She cooks her meals inside the restroom using a portable hob.

She does her laundry in the bathroom and dries her clothes on the rooftop of the building.

To ensure hygiene, she keeps the restroom meticulously clean to avoid any unpleasant odours while sleeping.

Yang shares glimpses of her daily life on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, where her story has garnered attention.