Renting property in Hong Kong is a fairly simple and often fast process.
The step-by-step process
Estate Agents typically act as dual agents, representing both the tenant and the landlord (both parties pay a share of the agent commission). Typically, you will be expected to pay two month’s rent as deposit (this is held by the landlord) and one month rent in advance. Stamp duty is minimal Government fee payable on signing; the cost is shared between tenant and the landlord.
If you need to travel overseas during the agreement process, we can oversee the transaction on your behalf.
Typically, purchasing follows this order:
- View the property.
- Make an offer.
- Provisional tenancy agreement is signed; payment equal to one month’s rent is made as a deposit.
- Formal tenancy agreement is signed; further payment equal to one month’s rent is made to complete deposit and one month’s rent is paid in advance.
- 50% of the stamp duty is payable at this time.
- Keys are exchanged and inspection report is made, with estate agent.
- Within one month, stamped rental agreement is received.
For more information, visit the Estate Agents Authority website.
Stamp Duty Table for Tenancy Agreements
| Lease Term | Percentage due |
| Up to 1 year | 0.25% x total rent |
| 1-3 years | 0.5% x yearly or average yearly rent |
| 3 years or longer | 1% x yearly or average yearly rent |
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