A man opposed the installation of an elevator. After it was built, he wanted to use it but was refused by neighbors. Out of anger, he sued all the residents of the building in court! The street office responds→

When the elevator was being installed, Uncle strongly opposed the installation. After the elevator was successfully installed, Uncle wanted to use it. This request was opposed by all the residents of the building, and Uncle angrily sued the entire building’s residents!

Recently, a reporter from Guangzhou Daily learned more about this dispute—

Uncle Zhang believes that installing the elevator affects his privacy.

Uncle Zhang voted “against” during the elevator installation

After the elevator was built, he wanted to use it, but residents opposed

Uncle Zhang lives in an old building on Jingyun Road, Baiyun District. The elevator installation in this building began in June 2024. On January 3, 2025, a hearing was held regarding the elevator installation. A total of 18 households participated in the vote, with only Uncle Zhang in Room 302 opposing. On March 6, 2025, Guangzhou Planning and Natural Resources Bureau issued a Construction Project Planning Permit to the residents.

On February 13, 2026, the elevator was officially put into use, and elevator cards were issued to the residents. “Each household received 5 elevator cards. When I was issued the cards, I said I could pay the additional elevator fee of over 19,000 yuan, but they still wouldn’t let me use the elevator.”

The elevator installed in Uncle Zhang’s building

Uncle Zhang stated that he opposed the elevator for several reasons. First, installing the elevator would cause serious obstruction to his home. Second, the plan for the elevator’s entry would raise the corridor level, exposing his privacy. Third, the elevator is made of reinforced concrete, and there are risks of damage such as cracking the exterior walls after construction.

Uncle Zhang said that because he opposed the elevator installation, the elevator installation team clearly told him that he would not be allowed to use it after it was completed. As a result, Uncle Zhang has sued more than ten other residents of the building. The case is currently being heard by Baiyun District People’s Court and has not yet been verdict.

In his complaint, Uncle Zhang requests: Order the plaintiff to have the right to use the elevator after paying the relevant costs according to the existing installation plan; Order the defendants to compensate him for the loss of house functions, paying 600 yuan per month for damages; Order the defendants to infringe on his neighboring rights, affecting his ventilation, lighting, privacy, and peace, and pay 1,000 yuan per month in damages.

Uncle Zhang said that after the elevator was installed, his family members could easily be seen when taking a shower in the bathroom.

Other residents:

Because he opposed the elevator, it was delayed by a year

The reporter then visited some residents of the community. Some residents said that the reason they opposed Uncle Zhang’s use of the elevator was because he consistently opposed during the installation process. His opposition caused delays in the elevator project, and now if he is allowed to use it, it would seem like “free riding.”

“Because he cast an opposing vote, our elevator project was delayed for a long time,” residents said. “It was delayed by about a year because of his opposition,” said a resident of the building.

Mr. Li, a resident on the 4th floor, is the main person responsible for the elevator planning group. Mr. Li told the reporter that residents’ main reason for opposing Uncle Zhang’s use of the elevator was because Uncle Zhang sued all the residents in court. “If he withdraws the lawsuit, everyone will agree to let him pay the elevator fee and use it,” Mr. Li said.

Street Office Response:

Mediation attempts have failed multiple times

On March 18, staff from Jingtai Subdistrict Office in Baiyun District said that the office and the community residents’ committee had organized multiple mediations, but none were successful. “Neighbors should resolve conflicts peacefully. Recently, we will actively organize negotiations between him (Uncle Zhang) and other residents to reach an agreement as soon as possible,” the staff said.

【Source: Lu Wang Weifang】