[ewqer]

hi all. i'm from london where i'm use to signing 6 month rental leases with a lease break clause after 3 months. do u know how i can get something as flexible in hong kong?

i'm starting a new banking job in hong kong so need to complete 6 months of probation period first with my new employer, so flexibility is better for me. i don't want to sign the standard 1 year lease with no break clause as i want to buy when my probation period is up and i can get a home loan. also i need the flexibility given my probation period. in addition i also work in the debt markets which is a bit volatile globally at the moment, so if turns bad i will be out of hk. so greater flexibility the better.

i have looked at serviced apartments, but very small and expensive compared to renting an apartment. also all the cheaper serviced apartments i have enquired about are not available due to high demand.

my commute to the office in london was 45 mins door-to-door and i don't mind doing that in hk.

anyone know how i can get a cheap serviced apartment within striking distance of central (given my long office hours) or a flexible term leased apartment?

[KC2006]

I'm in a similar situation but I'm looking for a different location. Some owners who post online directly might be willing to negotiate, it never hurt to ask. Some specifically said short term is okay but I'm not sure if they're within your budget, see for example:
http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/propert...d=92666&type=1
or search for geoexpat classified, http://www.expatflats.com/rental-property.htm
http://hongkong.craigslist.org/apa/, or similar sites.

Another suggestion: pay an extra month's rent and use agencies--you can offer to pay for the owner's commission (the usual practice in HK is that owner and tenant each pay half month's rent as commission to the agent), i.e. you pay a whole month's rent as commission, that will likely give the owner some incentive to rent it to you for a six-month lease, and give the agent an easier job to find you an apt within your budget.

Good Luck!

[tanbs]

Maybe u can try this for the studio option
http://hotel.ywca.org.hk/eng/YWCABui...ing_tariff.asp