Social News
Written by: Wang Jieen
2021-03-31 20:41
The last update date: 2021-03-31 20:41
The government has appointed a working group on the control of subdivided housing to study the feasibility of implementing control of subdivided housing.
The group has formally submitted a report today (31st), suggesting that the rent can be increased once in the first two years of subsequent rents, and the increase should not exceed the percentage change in the private residential rent index of the Evaluation Department. A 15% capping mechanism has been set up, and it has also stated that "Initial rent" is not feasible.
Some concern groups were disappointed with the report and criticized that there was no "starting rent" in it, and worried that the landlord would increase the rent before enacting legislation and bluntly "not accept the goods."
Some organizations also pointed out that, referring to past experience, some sub-divided tenants will often be increased by 300 to 500 yuan after two years. However, according to the current mechanism, if the monthly rent of 6,000 yuan is "added to the end", the rent will be increased. Renting 900 yuan, "It feels like (rental management) is like a disservice."
However, one of the panel members and the chairman of the Hong Kong Landlords Association, She Qingyun criticized the "2+2" renewal right as "the hottest". If the tenant has problems, the renewal right is like putting two disagreeing people together for 4 years. "There must be a bloody incident!" She Qingyun pointed out that the current Hong Kong market is no longer suitable for investment. He has decided to sell his own subdivided housing units.
The Working Group on Subdivided Rental Control Research has submitted a report to the government, which mentioned that "initial rent" is not feasible.
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Worry about the rent increase is higher than the current one: will it be done unintentionally, so send me first?
Chen Yingtong, a member of the Hong Kong Concerned Subdivided Housing Platform, said that she was disappointed with this report and criticized that if there is no initial rent, she is worried that the landlord will increase the rent before legislation.
She also pointed out that some tenants have revealed to her that due to the imminent implementation of rent allowances and rent control, the landlord has taken the lead in predicting the rent increase. "Will it be unintentional, so send me first?"
Chen Yingtong also pointed out that the 15% rent increase ceiling is unreasonable.
She quoted the content of the report, saying that the study mentioned that the median rent increase of sub-divided households was only 7%, so she questioned: "Whether 15% is determined to be out of Lebanon?" She also pointed out that if you refer to the private assessment agency After the residential rent index can be increased by 15%, based on the rent of 6,000 yuan, the rent can already be increased by 900 yuan.
On the contrary, if you refer to past experience, some subdivided households are often increased by 300 to 500 yuan after two years. "It feels like (rent management) is not helpful." She continued that many subdivided houses are in a bad environment, but the report did not mention it. And housing standards, ignoring the quality of sub-divided housing.
The "Subdivided Housing" Rent Control Research Working Group submitted a report to the government on March 31.
(Photo by Luo Junhao)
Hong Kong's property market is hard to fall
Liao Qianyi, a member of the Kwai Chung Residents Alliance, said that the report did not "receive the goods," and the criticizing group did not set the initial rent or freeze the rent.
She also pointed out that Hong Kong's property prices are high, and even under the epidemic, property prices have not seen a sharp drop. She is worried that the rent index of private housing in the future will be dominated by an increase. It is expected that the rent increase of subdivided housing will also be substantial.
Liao also pointed out that although the report mentioned a standard tenancy agreement, there is no penalty for the time being, and no independent department has been established to supervise it. Moreover, although many subdivided households have been overcharged for utility bills, they have no way of complaining, which hinders rent management. Scared and suspicious.
The maximum rent increase is 10%
The Public Housing Association also pointed out that it is hoped that the Government can refer to the current housing authority's public housing rent adjustment mechanism to set a 10% ceiling for rent increase mechanism.
Regarding the group’s refusal to set a "starting rent", the Federation also expressed disappointment and hoped that the government should consider setting a "starting rent" when reviewing rent control measures in the future to fill the loopholes in the policy.
She Qingyun pointed out that for landlords, the "2+2" renewal right is difficult to accept.
(Information Picture/Photo by Lu Yiming)
She Qingyun: Spicy to the crazy line
She Qingyun, one of the panel members and the president of the Hong Kong Landlords Association, described this report as "chili pepper", in which the "2+2" renewal rights are "the hottest", which is equivalent to "four years after one visa." He even emphasized: " There must be bloodshed!" He explained that if the tenant has a problem, the right to renew the lease is like putting two disagreeing people together for 4 years. Although the tenant has the right to terminate the lease early, if the tenant does not leave the premises, it will be fine. It is easy to quarrel and even use force. "There is a single murder case in Hong Kong... the tenant owes rent, the landlord chases the rent, and the two parties have quarrels. In the end, the tenant cuts the landlord with a kitchen knife and smashes his fingers." He suggested that it should be changed to " 1+2+2", the first year is set as the observation period, and the right to renew the "2+2" will only start when the parties deem it appropriate.
She Qingyun said that he did not mind that the rent increase was restricted, and many landlords did the same.
He confessed that the landlord of some sub-divided houses had not increased the rent for 10 years, and that the sub-divided houses he owned had not increased the rent for 3 years, except for the utility bills. He also pointed out that the second landlord was mostly the second landlord who increased rent crazily and forced eviction.
Subdivided housing units have been put on sale
She Qingyun once stated clearly that if a "priority renewal right" was established, he would be the first to personally "dismantle sub-divided houses."
She Qingyun pointed out today that he has decided to sell the property and is now selling his subdivided flats.
He described that there are too many restrictions and the Hong Kong market is no longer suitable for investment. He emphasized that he is not "vindictive." He even sang to reporters: "If you want to stay, it is hard to stay."
Subdivided room