[jaetee]

Just wondering how people pay rent in HK - by cheque, funds transfer, etc.? How does the funds transfer work - can you do this if you and the landlord use different banks?
(Sorry for dumb questions, just trying to figure things out.)

[shwetapershad]

Well I mail a cheque every month and get a receipt by mail.

[KnowItAll]

Usually easy to setup an auto pay instruction with the bank to transfer the money to the landlords account. They tend to prefer this (unless its a company owned flat) as it saves them a trip to the ATM.

[jaetee]

KnowItAll,
Is it possible to do the autopay/funds transfer even if it involves 2 different banks? Is there a service charge for this transfer (in the US and UK there are)?
thanks.

[KnowItAll]

Yeah .. small charge if its across from HSBC or Hang Seng into other banks. Might still be worth it ... given that it removed the hassles of posting the checks and also removes the delays.

[PDLM]

One time funds transfer costs HKD5 per time for HSBC to non-HSBC accounts. I haven't found a way to set up a standing order via HSBC online, and I prefer not to do autopay for rent since that is a "pull" on your money by the landlord rather than a "push" by you, which is not ideal if you are deducting costs of, e.g. washing machine or aircon service from the rent.

[jaetee]

PDLM - so do you do "one time funds transfer" all the time, or do you do the cheque route?

[Ohlala]

Just for you information, if you look for free fund transfer through internet banking...you may try Bank of east asia. there is no service charge for interbank transfer.

[PDLM]

jaetee,

My previous landlord insisted on a cheque, so that is what they got. But personally I prefer doing online funds transfer each month, and my new landlord is happy with that, so that's what I do now.

[saltwater]

Your landlord has no right in demanding payment by any method... you could rock up with the whole thing in 5c coins (and a couple of trucks behind you) and they'd still have to accept it. In this day and age its more about having a receipt to show that your rent has actually cleared for the month... internet / ATM transfer are the best when it comes to that.