Renting a flat in HK

Posted by mayita (323 days ago)

After visiting some 35-40 flats, i'm likely to settle something quite soon.
Any advise about what I should check or be aware about before renting in HK :
I- Concerning the flat "per se"
II - Concerning the contract

Thanks in advance for any valuable piece of advice.

Posted by ldavy (323 days ago)

Read the contract and make sure you understand it, and agree with everything, before you sign anything.

Before you make the offer, or before your agent makes the offer, it's a very good idea to see the flat again and make a detailed list of any repair/decoration work that needs doing.

Posted by Saikunga (323 days ago)

See if you can have a break clause if you lose your job and need to leave quickly. We always had one of these inserted.

Check for leaks in cupboards, in bathrooms, from upstairs.

Posted by mayita (323 days ago)

Hello Saikunga,
what do you mean by from upstairs ?

Posted by cara (323 days ago)

if the flat upstairs is leaking into yours...bathroom or kitchen

Posted by denisiel (322 days ago)

Good advice above.

Flat: Depending on the amount of rent you are paying - Ask for all appliances included (a/c, refrigerator, water heaters, light fixtures, washer & dryer), new paint and floor refinishing, curtains, car park, and wardrobes/closets.

Contract: Try for a two week rent free move-in period and also negotiate with your agent on his commission if reasonable.

Posted by mayita (322 days ago)

2 weeks commission is what they propose ... fair enough (and Ok according to some HK people i know)

Concerning the lease, do i have to ask a lawyer to review it (at least the 1st time i rent here) ? What is the standard fee for that ?
What clauses shall i be careful about ?

Posted by Saikunga (322 days ago)

I don't think you need to have lawyer look at it - the rental agreements are usually pretty standard and there are also common laws that will protect you as a tenant.

Posted by maxis (321 days ago)

1. inclusive or exclusive - are menagement fees included in the rent?

2. can you have a 1 + 1 lease?

3. are appliances (cooker/fridge/washing machine/airconditioners) you responsibility?

4. is the apartment or building for sale without you knowing?

5. rent increases?

You can put whatever additional clauses in if you want, as long as the landlord agrees. NOt a bad one is maximum increase in rent, for example in a 1 + 1. You could also try and get them to agree to renewalable after 2 years without more than x% rent increase.

The standard tennancy agreements are pretty neutral, but you should try and get it sloping your way.

Try and work out what you think the landlord wants (flexibility for rent increase, minimum time of commitment of lease)- they'll always have a financial angle. Then drive back with some things you want based on agreeing to some things you think they want.

You probably won't be familiar with the way in which the law works here so forget common law rights. Even some lawyers in Hong Kong get done over by some landlords, even ones familiar with HK/UK/common law. If your landlord is a decent person the standard agreement will be fine, but if not then you could well get shafted if you aren't careful.