[Shoni]

I am in HK next week to try and secure an apartment ready for my arrival in October. I have found one that I like on the internet and it is free at the moment.

I have researched how much it will cost me up front which is quite a bit. Would I be able to use a credit card to pay for this or will I need to bring cash?

Can I also put the utility deposits on a card so that they are up and running on the day of my arrival?

And finally does anyone know if I can book some furniture to arrive on the evening that I am there so that I will have a bed to sleep in? Maybe and internet based company so I can do that a bit closer to the time from the UK?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[PDLM]

The general opinion is that committing to an apartment before you have seen it and spent a few hours at least looking at the surrounding area and checking out transport etc is not a good thing. Get a hotel or serviced apartment for a couple of weeks - many people manage to get their employer to pay for this. Normal dometic landlords very, very rarely accept payments by credit card.

[Shoni]

I am in Hong Kong to view the apartment in Wednesday. If all is well I want to put the deposit next week but am not starting employment until 23 October so don't know how happy my firm will be to pay for this.

I also do not really want to fly to HK with that amount of cash on me please help.

[jaykay]

I'm with PDLM on this, the deposit goes to the landlord so unless the landlord is a business they cannot accept credit card payments.

It is also an extremely bad idea to get an apartment before you know HK. Why is there a problem with just getting a serviced apartment for a couple of weeks when you get here?

HK doesn't have the type of e-shopping sites that you are looking for so buying a bed online and having it delivered the evening you move in would be extremely difficult. And trust me you really want to try the matresses out here before buying one as local preference is for extremely hard matresses and I don't mean just firm!

[Darkangel]

Originally Posted by jaykay

I'm with PDLM on this, the deposit goes to the landlord so unless the landlord is a business they cannot accept credit card payments.

It is also an extremely bad idea to get an apartment before you know HK. Why is there a problem with just getting a serviced apartment for a couple of weeks when you get here?

HK doesn't have the type of e-shopping sites that you are looking for so buying a bed online and having it delivered the evening you move in would be extremely difficult. And trust me you really want to try the matresses out here before buying one as local preference is for extremely hard matresses and I don't mean just firm!

Agree with both of them. it's bad idea to commit on something long term w/o seeing it. I know you might be eager to settle down with a house but better idea is staying at svc apartment or hotel for few weeks and engage an agent to view places.

You need to know the neighbourhood, condition of house and stuff. The lease is normally 2 years or sometimes u can negotiate down to 2 years but it's a long commitment. It will not be easy to break the lease after you have signed the tenancy agreement!

You don't need to pay the utility upfront cos normally the electric and water will still be on and all your need is transfer the ownership to your name and start paying from the day u have moved in..

gd luck..

[Shoni]

Thanks for the advice,

I will be viewing first. I move over for real on the 18th October but am on a visit 12-16 September to view apartments.

I don't really want to stay in a serviced apartment first as I am bringing two cats. Sharma Soho accepts pets but they are quite expensive and I do not want to be moving to much within the first month.

I have spoken to my boss and it looks like they will be able to assit with finance for the deposit which is a huge help.

[larac]

I agree with the comments above - you want to check out the area first.
As for your money put it on you credit card at home and withdraw it via an ATM when you get here but check your max. withdrawl amount.
Most utilities can get hooked up pretty quick - try and get your leasing agent to set it up for you.

Go to Pricerite for a bed. (they have a website to look at and you can see the prices if you register) They deliver pretty quick and it is free if you spend a certain amount - worse come to worse buy an airbed - you can get them at the Consumer Goods store on Wellington St in central next to the Japan Home Store and head to Wing On in Sheung Wan or Ikea (opposite Pricerite in Causeway Bay) for your bedding - Pricerite has some bedding too. Good Luck.

[nina_70]

Shoni - we did the same thing you did with 2 cats when we moved over...we went on a house-hunting spree for a week ~a month in advance, made a deposit, went home and then moved directly into the apartment when we came over. If you spend a week doing intense house-hunting you can get a reasonable idea of the different areas. My advice is to pack it in and view as many places as you can. Get a good agent (or a couple of agents) and see a bunch of places. The agents can also help you with utilities etc. If you need someone in Causeway Bay I can help you (just PM me). I'm sure other posters know agents in other areas. Don't trust everything you see on the internet. My experience is that the places can be very different when you go see them.
You'll probably need cash for the deposit. Most landlords will accept cash or a cash deposit (at a bank). Good luck!

[nina_70]

Also, keep in mind some apartments will not accept cats. Not always easy to see from internet postings. The agents can help you here as well. Once again, my advice is get some agents, plan your week in advance and see a bunch of places.

[greentea]

I believe that first thing you have to do is to get referral for about two good property agents, and tell them what're your requirements, budget and preferred place to stay, etc. They can help you. And don't trust one agent because he/she won't work hard for you. I wonder if your company can refer some good property agents to you.

Good luck.