[fkhan]

hi, i just moved to hong kong based on a sublet ad and it turns out the flat i got is not what i expected. its closer to 600 sqf than the advertised 800 and the person i sublet from has almost all her stuff still in her room.

also, the rent i'm being charged is ridiculous considering what the place is and i only agreed to it because i thought it was much bigger than it was stated as.

my question now is, ive already paid two months rent-- is there anyway i can get any of that back and move out of here asap?

also, can anyone recommend apts or agents for me? i'm looking for something around 10K preferably in the sheungwan/ central area. ideally some place around 600 sqf but anything smaller with a balcony (or that size with a balcony) would also be much appreciated.

please pm me if you have suggestions!

[Alby]

Do you have a written contract? If you do check to see what the out clause states... if you don't you could always move then go to small claims court in the hope of getting your money back.

Check out these for possible other apartments:

http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/
http://www.hkexpats.com/
http://www.hongkonghomes.com/hong_ko.../eng/for_rent/
http://hongkong.ixpat.com/
http://www.wangfathostel.com.hk/
http://www.expatriates.com/classifie...singavailable/
http://www.geoexpat.com/classifieds/
http://www.adpost.com/hk/
http://hongkong.craigslist.org/apa/
http://www.jiamania.com/jiamania/

[CherieC]

Yup agree that it would depend on whether you've signed a written contract with the person you leased the apartment from, and depends on what the contract says.

I'm currently looking for someone to take over my lease too (my ad's also on geoexpat), which sounds like it might fit what you want. The rent is quite cheap compared to the quality / state of the apartment - email me if you're interested to have a look (cherie_misc@yahoo.com).

[wtbhotia]

usually subletting is not allowed as that is usually put in the agreement. you could always threaten the person that you will tell the owner that they are subletting. you can find out who the owners are from either the security guard or the management office in your building.

[Misty]

If i was lied too i would stop paying the rent and move out once i had got my deposit back ie no rent for two months then move out if i was left with no option.

[HKChigger]

Originally Posted by Misty

If i was lied too i would stop paying the rent and move out once i had got my deposit back ie no rent for two months then move out if i was left with no option.

Ya, but she has paid two months rent... out of two -three months total.

[Swell]

You need to check if the 800sq.ft quoted is gross or net space. If gross, then at 75% efficiency (pretty normal for newer bldgs) then the net usable space is actually 600sq.ft

[Misty]

I still think they will have to move out after the rent they have paid is done. (i assumed the two months they mentioned was the deposit but could be wrong) I doubt anyone would be willing to give it back and let them move out straight away.

[fkhan]

thanks for all the replies. if necessary i will tell her owner. i've been exchanging some nasty emails with her. shes away right now and she's telling me that her place is roomy and insisting that she left a lot of room for me considering its a sublet. i just want to take my deposit back and move out at the end of the month. can anyone recommend good agents or apts that are available in the mid levels area?

[HKGuy2005]

I guess this is one of the reason why most people suggest staying at a service apt for several months first when arriving to HK rather than rushing into an long term lease in an apt. Paying a slight premium for the flexibility of not being locked in a long term apt may seem like a good alternative now.....