Just want to say it is not usual HK practice to share Government Rates on a 50:50 basis.
Just want to say it is not usual HK practice to share Government Rates on a 50:50 basis.
Agree with the other posters who've said suck it up if the overall deal makes it worth it.
However, I'd read the agreement really, really carefully. And I'd be inclined not to trust a landlord that was so blatantly adversarial as to demand that the tenant shells out for such a one-sided benefit in the first place.
(Actually, unless there is something hugely attractive about the flat, I'd be much more inclined to tell the landlord to shove it specifically because of this fee.)
You can negotiate even with certain large landlords - even when the leases are drafted by their lawyers. My current landlord is one of the large commercial property companies in HK. They were quite willing to negotiate on certain points in their standard lease (but have very strict policies on certain lease points and won't move on them).
Point is, its worth talking to the landlord. If they won't budge you need to decide if the terms they are offering to you are acceptable at the rent level they are asking.
As noted in other threads, accepting liability as a tenant for structural issues (pipes, walls, drainage systems, electric, etc.) can be very, very costly and at a minimum would avoid these at all costs.
IMHO, as other have said unless it's a great place I'd walkway
maybe its brand new first time landlord ..........
sharing rates, 50:50 is very odd, and likely to be a pain because there are issued quarterly, and no mention of management fees, and other fees the landlord should pay.
I'd stick the to standard tenancy contract, as other have rightly said the tenant should NOT contribute to any of the landlords legal fees and charges - what happens if his lawyer works for a top flight international firm like (Deacons, etc.) the legal fee could be very significant sum !!!