[Misty]

Our lease ends very soon and we are not renewing as we have bought a place. The landlord has never been in touch about renewing and when asked a few months ago if he would consider a short term renewal he just told us he wanted to put the rent up. We move out a week before the lease is up i assume that we are under no obligation to give any notice as the lease is up and neither side has agreed to renew and we just vacate on or before the end of the lease would that be right?

[PDLM]

Yes, strictly. But remember that the landlord has your deposit, so it's probably in your interests to let him know what you plan to do so that he can get another tenant lined up.

[KnowItAll]

Let him know .. and preferably arrange for an inspection once you've vacated. That will allow you to negotiate any damages or have evidence that you left the place intact and the landlord owes you the deposit in full.

[Misty]

We have not paid the last two months rent as the landlords agent informed us in a phone call about 10 months ago that he intended to keep the cost of repairs to the air con out of our deposit so we have prevented that from happening by getting back our deposit. So we are not owed any money from the landlord. we are happy to discuss anything he thinks we need to pay for but other than a scratch on the living room floor and an odd mucky mark on the wall from the furniture everything is in perfect condition allowing for normal everyday use of course.

[Toonz]

Misty I understand your predicament.

I am looking for a community or government organisation that can help with Tenants rights ? My landlord sent me end of lease letter. When I called to find out what the new rent was I was shocked to find it was up by 50%.

was prepared for another 2000 hkd more and was more than happy to sign another 2 years. Anyway after lots of negotiation he wont budge.
He has my deposit in FULL ( I paid right up to the last month) and while I can extend my contract its to the new amount or vacate by tomorrow (24th Nov)

I was away on Holiday so I got to know about this rent hike only a week back.

I need time and I cant afford this hike. Is there anyone who can help ?

I am going to call Consumer Advice Bureau in a bit...but any public service legal advice department contact would help heaps
thank you

[PDLM]

What is your ground for complaint? You knew exactly when the tenancy would come to an end from the point you signed it two years ago. If you really wanted to stay living there then it is incumbent on you to enter into negotiations in good time. I don't see that you have a leg to stand on. If you're still there on Sunday then you have to pay whatever new rate you can agree with the landlord.

[KnowItAll]

>> help with Tenants rights

Unfortunately there arent many rights that you have as a tenant. Its pretty much all governed by a commercial contract between you and your landlord.

We've seen this happen to so many people back in the '97 gold rush and its happening all over again.

Like PDLM said, there is not much you can do other than perhaps plead an extension for a couple of weeks as you were out of town.

[Misty]

This is exactly why we have decided to buy , we have hated being a tenant and having a landlord push us around based on greed.
I'm sure ours will have something to say about wanting cash off us when we leave but we have our deposit back and it will be up to him to pursue us rather than us having to fight for our money back. We will be fair but we don't believe a scratch on the floor and a few furniture marks on the wall are reason for him to keep our deposit we have to be able to live in the property it's not a show home.

[Toonz]

I agree Misty. I am house proud and scratches are part and parcel of living. But dont worry thats under 'normal wear and tear' & should be included in your contracts.

Mr Know it all thanks...true. In HK one kind of feels like a rattle. Shaken and rattled around by landlords.