What are my rights as a tenant?

DaisyMiller · 30-07-2006, 09:18 PM

I'm writing because as I am someone whose employer gave her housing when I took a job here in Hong Kong. As I understand, I have a landlord, and the school acts as a go-between me and the landlord.

My air conditioner recently broke and I would like it fixed. I have to go through my employer to get a repairman. The repairman said that to fix it, I have to pay $300 and the company is telling me that it is "Hong Kong style culture" that the tenants pay for all repairs, the company only provides the house for free. Any upkeep is on me.

This is not my first time overseas, but it is to Hong Kong, and I have always been under the impression that as long as I am not committing vandalism or a gross act of stupidity, then the landlord is responsible for all upkeep and paying of repair bills. That is what living in an apartment is all about, I thought.

If I am right, can anyone point me in the direction of some websites that would back me up? I really feel I am being taken advantage of here, and while $300 may not be so much money, I do not want to think my employer takes me for a fool.

Thanks for your help!

carang · 30-07-2006, 09:33 PM

check your lease.. it should be that the landlord is responsible for normal wear and tear...

if that's what it says... tell them thatyou will keep the receipt and take it off the rent....

discobay · 30-07-2006, 10:34 PM

I have been a landlord for years and normally repairs are a landlord's responsibility unless there has been obvious neglect or intentional damage by the tenant. You or your employer would have signed a standard tenancy agreement - as carang says check it out.

PDLM · 31-07-2006, 12:52 AM

Assuming that the aircons are on the inventory attached to the lease then they are the landlord's responsibility. However, if your employer signed a lease without them on the inventory then they are your responsibility.

Sk8Naner · 27-07-2009, 04:57 PM

Question - what if it was to clean the AC? There's mold ont eh vents ... and i want to get it cleaned by a company (3 split type units ...) is this landlord problem? (I moved in last week)

PDLM · 27-07-2009, 05:01 PM

Once you've signed off on the inventory then I think you've accepted them as being in good condition. Normal cleaning of aircons I would say is probably the tenant's responsibility.

Football16 · 27-07-2009, 05:34 PM

It is wise not to sign off on a lease until you get all this sort of stuff cleared up. I am very happy with leasing from Tung Wah Hospital properties for exactly these reasons. It is very clear in their lease who is responsible for what.