The Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) (Amendment) Bill 2021, which implements the control of subdivided housing rentals, will be read in the Legislative Council today (14th) for the first and second readings. A group petitioned outside the Legislative Council building this morning. The government is urged to improve the details of the draft and put forward demands for the establishment of the initial rent, the reduction of the rent increase to 5% to 10%, the extension of the lease renewal period to 6 years, and the establishment of a dedicated department.
Members of the Legislative Council Tian Beichen, Ke Chuangsheng, Zheng Yongshun, and representatives of the Transportation and Housing Bureau received the petition.
Tian Beichen suggested that a "starting rent" should be set at a price not higher than 30% of the rate valuation, but he believes that the boundaries need to be carefully determined.
(Photo by Wu Zhuoan)
Tian Beichen: The initial rent must be set carefully.
All three organizations require the establishment of initial rents, saying that they should be "set up first, review later."
Legislative Council Member Tian Beichen stated that "the initial rent must be available." He suggested setting a price not higher than 30% of the rate valuation. However, he believes that the boundary needs to be carefully determined, because too low rent may result in no landlord willing to continue to invest. The citizens will lose their shelter, but the citizens cannot afford the exorbitant prices.
Insufficient protection of 4-year tenancy rights requires the establishment of "2+2+2" renewal rights
In addition, the group requested that the rent increase ceiling be lowered from the current 15% to 5% to 10%.
Some studies have found that the average landlord can increase the rent by up to 7%, while some residents think that the 15% ceiling is “astonishing” and expressed concern that landlords will think that the rent will increase by default, which will increase the financial burden on the contrary.
They also demanded an increase in the lease renewal period. The group said that residents of sub-divided houses are generally waiting for public housing. The official figure indicates that the waiting list is at least 5.8 years. Actual experience shows that it may take as long as 7 to 8 years. The bill mentions 4 years. Insufficient protection of tenancy rights.
Tian Beichen and the group proposed to change the priority of renewal to "2+2+2", which means a total of 6 years.
The group also hopes that the government will regulate the maintenance costs of the owners, and urge the implementation of the regulations as soon as possible.
They also hope that the government will provide supplementary measures and management for the vacuum period.
It also requested the government to set up a dedicated department to handle housing disputes.
Jacky, a single person, said that he has been waiting for public housing for more than 13 years. There are many psyllids in the subdivided rooms and the sanitary conditions are poor.
(Photo by Wu Zhuoan)
Singles who have been listed in public housing for 13 years: Housing Department says they still need to be listed for 17 and a half years
Some tenants think that the content of the draft is just "minor repairs and supplements", and hope that the government will listen to the demands of the people carefully and protect the grassroots.
Jacky, a single person, said that he has been waiting for public housing for more than 13 years. There are many psyllids in the subdivided rooms and the sanitary conditions are poor.
He once called the Housing Department to inquire about the waiting time for public housing. The Housing Department pointed out that under the latest scoring system, Jacky would have to wait another 17 and a half years before he could go upstairs.
He said that singles have the same laundering fees as ordinary people. He did not understand why the waiting time for singles is so long. "Does the government discriminate against singles waiting for public housing? Does it mean that singles do not have to spend money to eat out?"
Mrs. Zeng expressed the hope that rent control can help reduce rents and reduce economic pressure.
(Photo by Wu Zhuoan)
Mrs. Zeng is currently living in a 100-square-foot sub-district with a family of four. She has to walk 8 flights of stairs every day and the rent is RMB 3,500 per month.
She said that her husband had a salary of 11,000 yuan, but he had to support four people. "In order to save money, I wouldn't use the air conditioner during the day! I can only endure and live my life!" Inquiry, the authorities only responded: "There are more than 50,000 talents coming to you!" She expressed the hope that rent control can help reduce rents and reduce economic pressure, and the government can actively respond to residents' demands.
Subdivided rent management｜External worries about landlord’s open window rent increase Chen Fan appeals to tenants: It is not reasonable to avoid contract rent management｜Chen Fan: The maximum increase of 15% is a reasonable level to ban subdivided housing or the government raises rent control Amendments to the DAB’s proposal to reduce the ceiling for rent increase to 10%.
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