whose for things

[JohnDoe]

Dear teachers,

Is it true that "whose" should never be used with things, but only with people?

An example: "the building whose owner didn't pay the due taxes will be demolished."

Thank you.

[abaka]

It can certainly mean both "of whom" and "of which". But because some people object to its meaning "of which", perhaps it's better to use "whose" with things only in conversation and in informal writing.