Property Guides & Useful Information

Public Transportation: Geographic size, increasing population density and historical precedence has resulted in the creation of a workable but somewhat complicated road infrastructure. Over 90% of the population commutes using a public transportation system that is extensive, affordable and, for the most part, easily accessible. Taxis are zoned by color – red throughout the urban areas, green in the rural areas of the New Territories, and blue on Lantau Island. The easie

1. Land Holdings and Registration Systems 1.1 Land holdings All land in Hong Kong is owned by the People’s Republic of China as State property and is managed by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Government) under the Basic Law of Hong Kong. Land identified as suitable for private development is sold by the Government through public auction or tender. Government can make land available through direct grant although this is only in limited circumstance

1. Conveyancing Procedures 1.1 Title In order to establish title to a property, it is necessary to check all title documents affecting it. There are many issues of varying materiality that are a common cause of questions and delays and which can affect a property’s liquidity. Title insurance is available in Hong Kong and provides protection against many defects in title commonly found. 1.2 Buying Procedure A purchase normally involves the following stages: · Negotiating

• Introduction • Government Objectives • Perception • Summary • Rates 1. Introduction The Government of the Hong Kong SAR has recently introduced a number of amendments to the stamp duty regime in Hong Kong with the intention of cooling an over-heated property market. Implementing legislation for Special Stamp Duty and Buyer’s Stamp Duty has been passed under the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Ordinance 2014 which was gazetted on 28 February 2014 and

Peter Churchouse is the founder of Portwood Capital, a leading real estate investment company. With more than three decades of experience in real estate investment and research he is widely considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on Asian real estate markets. He is also author of The Churchouse Letter, his financial newsletter which provides investment and wealth building strategies. In this 8-part series, he highlights key rules he feels investors should follow when purchasing re