how to complain about a dishonest agent??

We moved recently into a flat, when I moved in I double checked that there was not any renovation coming up and I just suffered through it in my last flat (talking serious asthma, baby at home total nightmare..) so I asked them if they were SURE and the agent and landlord said "definatley not" and sure enough, there was actually a survey box when I viewed the flat in the lobby in chinese about the "uncoming renovation" which I found out later it was about this of course as I can't read Chinese, anyway so basically they knew and now I have found out the building will have MAJOR renovations beginning in July! so don't know what to do I think I will be in hospital with asthma for the duration of the renovation if I stay as I work from home... can I complain to the consumer council or something, basically i want my lease to be cancelled as I was deceived and given false information...any suggestions people? Please help!

Sorry to hear about your dilemma.. Iam no expert but hope this helps...

1) make a photocopy of the renovation notice

2) A doctors certificate re your asthma

3) Lodge a complain with the consumer council or if exisit some " HK Property or Agt Council / Ombusman ", stating that your agt/landlord have lied to you about the most imp point - " Upcoming renovations ", due to the fact of your asthma.

4) Immediately in writing give your months notice and I guess you paid the 3 months + agt fee, so unfortunately you suffered a loss, hopefully the renovations begin later in July, so the 2 months deposit is adjusted to the June/july rent.

And its so frustrating these people dont take into consideration how much inconvinience, time and money it is to have to search and move again.


My ex husband suffered much from asthma and was on Ventolin, and it was a very scary experience when he was rushed to hospital, imjected with muscle steroid and progressively was getting worst, UNTIL I chanced upon an article re Dr Buteko's breathing programme, and it has been 6 years now that he is Ventolin free. Please pick up the free " Healthy times newspaper or on line www.healthy times.com as the latest issue happens to have an article about it. I have some friends in the property business and if I have concrete info on your situation, I will be in touch. Good Luck, I am facing a problem with my lying agt too. Its frustrating as the economy runs on this business, the landlords have the power to almost do as they please. The Lands Tribunal office may have some anwers fo you as its set up to deal with landlord/ tenants issues

From Nicola

Thanks AlphaLau, yup it was an outright lie sadly, I asked him and the landlord very clearly before I signed the lease if they were absolutely sure there would be no renovations, I went as far as to say "Not upstairs, next door, opposite apartment, outside, the lift lobbies, no where right? Sure?" "No no no, definatley not" was the clear response, he then transated to the landlord after I said "ask her" to the landlord and he did and she said "no, no" and shook her head adamantly....The survey box was in the lobby when I viewed the aparment about the upcoming renovation but I couldn 't read it so I didn't know what it said as it was in chinese, but he could, so he knew. I am so dissappointed in the greed and dishonesty here, wow I think some people here just have no integrity and greed is considered a virtue almost, how shameful. Anyway I have now drafted a letter to Cancel the Agreement and let us move out early if he doesn't get the landlord to sign then I will 100% be complaining to the EAA thanks for that address too. Will keep you posted on what happens. thanks Nicola for your advice and kind words too and I will look up that Healthy Times too thanks for that it sounds great.

Mixeymum, you new place isnt on Arbuthnot Road per chance is it?

hi no it's not on Arbuthont rd spannermonkey, and I've now a written document signed by the landlord cancelling the tenancy agreement. I'm now thinking about going after the agent for my commission back. I feel sick to my gut that he made so much money for giving me this headache and doing nothing else except lie about everything in the first place, making me move to someone which I then had to move out of again. Now I need to repack the boxes that I just finished unpacking (and now I've chucked them too!) and find another place to live what a total nightmare! These agents are just out to grab the money and run, they make me sick. They don't do anything to help, put in as little effort as possible and are only smile until they get their money. I HATE HK PROPERTY AGENTS!!!

Mixeymum,


given that you lanlord has aknowledged you request to cancel puts you in a strong position to get you commision back from your agent. Your agent acts on your behalf so should be fully supporting you in your search for a place to live. go and spk to him/her about the situation. If they get defensive, then simply mention the EAA....