'Rent Control Not Protecting Tenants As It Should'

A group of subdivided flat tenants said on Tuesday that the government’s new rent control policy has failed to protect them, as authorities are not completely clear about the provisions of the legislation and refuse to act as a mediator when landlords and tenants are locked in disputes.

The rent control law for subdivided flats, which came into effect on January 22 this year, puts a 10 percent cap on rent increases when a two-year contract ends and gives tenants priority to renew the lease for two more years. 

It also prohibits landlords from overcharging tenants for water and power.

But a woman surnamed Lau, who lives in a subdivided flat in Tsuen Wan, told a press conference that the Rating and Valuation Department refused to intervene when she complained her landlord may be overcharging her for utilities.

“I asked the staff if they, as the law enforcement agency, could call my landlord to explain [the law] and mediate… but they said they wouldn’t contact the landlord directly. I felt helpless,” she said.

Ying, another subdivided flat tenant, said staff from the department gave different answers when she enquired about the effective date of the policy.

While some officers told her the new law applies to all tenancies that start on or after January 22, others said contracts signed before the date wouldn’t be protected by the regulation even if the tenancy period starts after January 22.

Kenny Ng, a social worker from an alliance of subdivided flat tenants, said the department needs to step up training for staff.

“Staff… have different understandings of the law and give different answers to the residents who are seeking their help or opinion, so we expect the government to provide professional training,” he said.

“And also they should provide some more information and do more promotion of the law for the public, especially for the landlords.”

In response, the Rating and Valuation Department said it had set up a new section consisting of 50 staff, responsible for the implementation of the

legislation.

It said the team’s work including promoting public awareness of the new regulatory regime; publicising and explaining the contents of the provisions; handling enquiries; providing free advisory and mediatory services to landlords and tenants on tenancy matters; and taking enforcement action as appropriate.