My wife and I have just moved to HK. We are on the verge of signing a modified Commercial lease (5 pages) for a residential flat in a an office building which has been "unofficially" converted. Is this common in HK? Should we stay away from this type of agreement? The lure is the flat is much bigger than what is on offer throughout HK, for a much more competitive rent / mth.
Furthermore, is it normal for security deposits to be paid to the landlord rather than in Trust or to the Agent? This makes me nervous at the end of the tenancy period. I have read on various forums that tenants simply don't pay the last two months rent to offset the deposit. This doesn't sit well with me either. Advice please?