Tenancy Agreements - non-negotiable

It seems that in HK, especially in cases where the landlord is a company and owns the whole building, landlords often refuse any amendments to their standard form tenancy agreements.


The current lease that I'm being offered for a potential rental is just outrageous and silly. I think the landlord representative is just being lazy, but he has basically said the tenancy agreement is non-negotiable, even though (1) there is language that all the fixtures and furniture will remain in the apt after I leave, including any decorations that I make to the apt, (2) references are still to the Crown and not to the Government, (3) that I will not evoke any statutory protections when faced with eviction notices, (4) that I will tear down any illegal structures, even if built by the landlord [keeping in mind that the landlord owns the entire building!] etc.


There are also important points for me that the landlord has refused to add or amend, such as inclusion of a clause limiting my liability to non-structural items or limiting my liability to defects that I cause, as opposed to inherent or latent defects. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Am I being too lawyerly and overly cautious? Or is it fair for me to run away!


Part of me is hoping that the common law in HK (which I am not familiar with) will protect me from a common sense point of view, but this city is so pro-landlord, that I am not sure. Surely I cannot be responsible and made to pay for any structural defects in the apt or any damages to the apt caused by structural defects to other parts of the building?


Very interested in what others have to say. Thanks.