Landlord did not provide keycard access to building

[Eveecam]

Understood. Thanks everyone🙏

[D.YU]

But I'm also wondering, if I decide I don't want to live here anymore (because I really don't want to deal with this person again if I have a choice), is it possible to just move out? What if I don't pay rent for 2 months and then just pack up and leave? Will he be able to pursue rent for the rest of the contract from me?

Ive done this before. Landlord refused to fix ceiling leak and would only fix it without hotel compensation (only pro rata my rental difference). I was pissed and didnt pay rent for 2.5 months which covers 2 months deposit and compensates my Agency fee.

The landlord tried to go through the eviction process but the department handling this heard my story and they tried to act as a mediator. End of the day, they have the rights to try to pursue through small claims court. But if its justified, the landlord will most likely not go thru the hassle and end up probably not getting much back (if any).

[bonaventure]

Maybe the attitude of the landlord and management will change if they find a blacklist on the Internet with their names on it. They should've done something to let the tenant get in and out of the building when the keycard was lost or being produced.

[Eveecam]

I did some searching today on HK law but I could only find information that said the landlord has the right to go to the small claims for the rent, terminate the contract and evict the tenant, if they fail to pay rent for more than 15 days. It doesn't say that they can pursue any further compensation or force me to stay and pay rent for the rest of the contract. Maybe I'll try to seek the advice of a lawyer friend and see what their thoughts are.

[freeier]

I did some searching today on HK law but I could only find information that said the landlord has the right to go to the small claims for the rent, terminate the contract and evict the tenant, if they fail to pay rent for more than 15 days. It doesn't say that they can pursue any further compensation or force me to stay and pay rent for the rest of the contract. Maybe I'll try to seek the advice of a lawyer friend and see what their thoughts are.

that's not true. You signed a contract that is not breakable for the first 12 months (and subsequently upon some condition), you are liable to perform the contract.. i.e. to pay the rent for the 12 months, unless something happens that deprive you of the enjoyment of the contract (e.g. you can't stay there anymore for a reason that is the property's fault).

[VillanElle]

*wait out your fixed term as stipulated in the break clause
*document all leaks, damages, malfunctioning hard and software (do inform LL, n document these chats)
*when time’s up move out and give LL notice (even if it’s a day)
*hand over the keys to LL and take photos with LL present (bring a friend to witness/moral support)
If LL wants to pursue for damages/framing you, LL will be wasting time

[GlennBond]

Bad luck with this landlord. Many times it’s a crap shoot. You don’t know who the landlord really is and how he will act until AFTER you move in. Most of them are really cheap. Tightwads. They only care about the rent money they get. I think in this case you might have to just swallow the five days of rent. It’s better than five weeks of rent! Or even 1-2 weeks of rent. Good luck getting your deposit back too at the end. I’ll bet he won’t give it back. They usually don’t. It’s stealing but they don’t care. Make sure you try and not pay your last month of rent to him. Try to use your security deposit that he won’t give you back anyway as a way to pay that last month. Ok. It’s what I do. Usually it works. Then I leave. At least I was able to use my security deposit in a good way for myself. Not for him! Next time to try and rent from a referral. Maybe someone you know can refer a good landlord. Try to.

[Pauljoecoe]

What did they do wrong?

The landlord is the one with authority to grant tenants with the access cards. I believe this is industry standards...

Not in experience. Once we had signed contract for the flat we had to go to the management office to apply for our access cards. I guess we had some forms to prove our tenancy but imdont really remember. We had a n estate agent who did all the paperwork.

[bdw]

If you had to stay in a hotel for 5 days and want to be reimbursed for 5 days of rent, then just do it! Next rental payment to landlord, just take your monthly rental amount * 26 / 31 and pay them that. Done!

Although I would have thought if you had to stay in a hotel for 5 days, I would deduct 5 days hotel costs rather than 5 days rent. That would be a better indicator of the financial loss you suffered.