Housing property rights and subjective wellbeing in urban China

•We present a theoretical model on housing property rights and subjective wellbeing in China.•We test the predictions of the theoretical model using a nationally representative dataset.•Homeownership and property rights matter for subjective wellbeing.•The type of home loan one has matters for subjective wellbeing.

This study explores the relationship between home ownership and subjective wellbeing in urban China. We first present a theoretical model examining the relationship between housing property rights and subjective wellbeing in China. We then test the predictions of the theoretical model using a nationally representative dataset. We find that not only home ownership but also the types of property rights one acquires matter for subjective wellbeing. Moreover, not only whether one has a home loan, but the type of home loan one has matters for subjective wellbeing.