If it breaks, we're looking for new apartment

Yes

that's what i was thinking either there's a room behind it or its sticking out the side of the house. either is dumb unless the back side is like under the stairs or some weird shit.

Could be positioned next to a load-bearing beam, so the area next to it couldn't be opened up to provide more floor space.

unless there's a hidden area/cabinet, it's a waste, if there's something hidden, it's obvious