New rental not up to scratch

I would like some advice re a property which I moved in to 1 week ago.

When I inspected the property about a month ago with the agent, there were still workers in the apartment. I asked what work they were doing and they said they were renovating the bathroom and kitchen.

When I moved in, I had the first shower and noticed straight away that water was accumulating in the shower. So I called the agent (and of course she passed me straight on to the landlord and to deal with him directly) and he got a contractor to come and have a look 6 days after I moved in (yesterda). He came in the morning and said there was no problem with the pipes and just cleaned the new drain plug thing. I had a shower after he left and of course, water kept accumulating. So they came back that afternoon with another contractor and he said the pipes in the building are narrow and that's why it's accumulating and there's not mucht hey can do.

I am having to live back with my parents because there's not enough time even wash myself int he shower before the water starts spilling over the edge and across the whole bathroom floor. The landlord said he would get the contractor to come thurs and make the shower basin deeper so more water could accumulate....I don't think this is good enough.

Let's not mention the gas cooker I am waiting for which still hasn't been installed!


I am at the point where I just want to move out, break the lease, get my bond back. Any advice? Can I get them to pay for my relocation aswell?

You probably can't break the lease, but you can withhold rent payment until its fixed. Make sure you document your requests to the landlord, and then you can take it to the small claims tribunal later.

If you can prove or establish that the landlord has agreed with you on the specific term or arrangement of the bathroom or kitchen's facilities or the things made the property being not inhabitable, you may quit or break the lease, otherwise, the landlord is required to fix it only.


Weir & Associates

Solicitors & Notaries

16th Floor Tak Shing House

Theatre Lane

20 Des Voeux Road Central

Central

Hong Kong

Tel : 2526-1767

Fax : 2868-3568

email : weirlaw@hongkonglaw.com

www.HongKongLaw.com/weirlaw