Topic
Latest news, features and analysis on Hong Kong housing, including policy and efforts to find a solution to the problem of a shortage of homes in the world’s most expensive property market.
Post investigation into luxury estates confirms scale of unauthorised additions, such as swimming pools and basements, and signals it’s time for effective regulatory reforms
The Housing Authority will need more money if the Hong Kong government is to meet its accommodation targets for the less well-off.
Liquidation of firm behind some of the smallest properties on market hopefully marks end of unhealthy trend.
Hong Kong’s property market may in the doldrums now, but the government’s job is to look at the big picture; longer term, supply must resume to meet housing needs and raise revenue for mega projects.
Relaxed conditions on land exchanges should boost Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis project and extension of land premium scheme is also welcome.
- City leader John Lee says government has adopted risk-based approach in tackling problem, but dodged question on inspecting all upmarket detached houses
- Post finds nearly 90 per cent of houses at Flamingo Garden on Kowloon Peak, Villa Rosa in Tai Tam and Seaview Villas in Tai Po are suspected to have unauthorised additions
Having paid a high price for their property, some homeowners have every incentive to build unauthorised additions for their houses knowing enforcement can be lax.
Unauthorised expansions to luxury homes across the city have triggered concerns over safety risks, unfairness and lax enforcement.
Civil Engineering and Development Department releases environmental impact assessment report on the tech hub’s construction with proposed mitigation measures.
Kai Tak a draw for buyers of subsidised flats because of good transport links and views across Victoria Harbour and sports park.
Housing Authority says reclaimed flats came from the first batch of about 88,000 tenants who made declarations about whether they owned residential property.
Development minister Bernadette Linn says authorities considering outsourcing part of project to private developers as way to reduce financial burden on government.
Hong Kong’s lived-in home prices fell by about 1.4 per cent, the eight straight monthly decline. Overall, prices fell 6.7 per cent in 2023, versus a much sharper slump than the 15 per cent decline a year earlier.
While a number of factors beyond Hong Kong’s borders are affecting its property market, another price war brought on by new residential projects will also impact any recovery, says JLL Chairman Joseph Tsang.
Lawmakers and a scholar say that many unaware of the government-funded scheme and that authorities have the means to improve recycling system for residents.
Development officials lay out details of funding appeal at Legislative Council for 263-hectare second phase of Hung Shui Kiu-Ha Tsuen project.
Political figures step up calls to scrap ‘outdated’ property market measures to boost economy and ease residents’ anxiety.
Housing minister Winnie Ho says talks under way to set up permanent investigation system, months after crackdown on cheats launched last October
Buildings Department announced probe shortly after a concern group alleged problematic construction practices at the site.
Director of Housing Rosanna Law says companies will get higher monthly grading which will serve as reference for future contracts.
More newly-built flats will enter the city’s residential market in the first half, adding to unsold units from the past two years. Home prices, already near the lowest in seven years, are likely to weakenfurther, analysts say.
Buyers snapped up nearly 60 per cent of 165 units on offer at the Phoenext project in Wong Tai Sin, while shunning more expensive flats at KT Marina.
Development minister Bernadette Linn says past experience suggests developers more interested in smaller plots of land during economic downturn.
Government received the eligible applications between October 25 and January 8, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk says
The developers of smaller residential projects in Hong Kong are hastening sales by offering discounts before the Lunar New Year holiday, with the aim of increasing their market share before larger projects are launched later in the year.
Economists say any changes will affect a lot of people, especially the needy, with very little benefit to the government.
Billy Mak, chairman of the Housing Authority’s finance committee, says review of rents to be conducted in third quarter of this year.
Urban Renewal Authority also says maintenance contribution funds will get one-off government cash injections if owners regularly pay in for three years.
Hong Kong government last month invited applicants to set up urban farm in Ma On Shan, but industry leaders say pilot scheme underestimates potential challenges.
