Accidental Landlord in New Territories

[Wu Tango]

Hello all.
Long story short... I'm a sort of Reverse ExPat - HongKong born, lived 90% in England and now returning. I've a build project in Yeun Long NT , it will be ready to rent in Nov/Dec 2018 this year. So jumping on here for some advice.

So just checking. Question: Would people on here (ex-pats) even consider NT as a place to live stay? As the commute to Central is 1hr - Sofa to Desk (mini bus + Kam Sheung Rd MTR) ?

My builder advised me on the property layout. 3 levels villa style. All levels have 3 beds total apartment area 700s/f - master with onsuite , normal double and a single - though I think London agents would discribe as 'deceptively big' !! HK sizes!! Also all 3 levels have indipendant access.Top floor also gets roof garden - Parking for 3 small cars at front courtyard bit. The Villa backs on to Ho Pui Reservoir, with views of jungle and distant hills and door step access to massive trail walks.

ExPat Or am I looking at a very much Local audience and AirBNB?
Going rate for rent per 3 bed apartment is around 13k-16k p/m but Im still doing my homework.

Thanks in advance.

[Kowloon Goon]

Think many (expat) ppl would consider living in the area, but not sure how much interest you would get through AirBnB.

[jgl]

Perhaps I missed it, but how does an expat versus local rental market affect any of your building decisions?

My opinion: The expat market (in the sense of someone out here for a handful of years and with no pre-existing ties to the new territories) for Yuen Long is tiny.

An analogy would be foreigners living in London- what proportion of them decide to live in Zone 6? Croydon is close to the wonderful hiking in the Downs, but that's not an overriding priority for most people who move to London.

[flameproof]

So just checking. Question: Would people on here (ex-pats) even consider NT as a place to live stay?

No. Because all expats live on HK island and work in central. That would be a too long rickshaw ride. Taking a sanpan to HK Island is trouble too.

But seriously, plenty of people live up there and not everybody can, or want to, afford Hong Lok Yuen. So go for it.

[bargfeldstegen]

I have lived in Yuen Long before for several years.

The area you mentioned is certainly not a popular expat area (there are some though). Kam Sheung Road is pretty much at the lower end of popularity scale among most expats, and you usually get these looks when you say you live there ("Waah... so far!" etc.). Personally, I don't understand why it is so underrated, as connections to Kowloon and Hong Kong are reliable and fast, compared to traffic nightmare places as Sai Kung. Also, Yuen Long has a very vibrant restaurant scene and the extended Yoho Mall is fantastic.

Kam Sheung Road area is popular among locals and South East Asians. This will be your target group.

Also, the trend is to move closer to work, as the saying goes: "A short commute is the new backyard".

[HK_Katherine]

I live in the NT and would certainly consider this area if I were to rent. Or buy. (I'm not planning to do either). But I'm not your "typical" expat.... I think you'd get much more interest from locals.

[Elegiaque]

I would hardly call you an "accidental" landlord -- you're obviously taking advantage of a very weird, very unfair law Hong Kong has because you were born with the right paper and right gender (male, of course). It's more like, you're becoming a landlord to cash in on the $10 million you can get "for economic need" that so many indigenous men seem to have, even if they're not living in Hong Kong. I have to give you credit though, it seems you're more involved than most, who would just illegally hand over their rights to a developer. I do always wonder whether such privileged people ever put some thought into what pain this system causes the city and its environment as a whole.

Isn't there a regulation that the property must be used by you for the initial two years? Or is that also a law that is thrown to the wind?

To answer your questions: yes, some expats like living closer to nature and in village houses; no, that's not one of those hot spot popular areas that draws expats; to attract expats you would probably need to find which agents in the area tend to cater more to them, if any, or try advertising directly yourself here to save agency fees.

[jgl]

Backs on to Ho Pui? I've been past or through that area fifty to a hundred times- it's definitely not a typical area that would appeal to a Westerner.

[Wu Tango]

Think many (expat) ppl would consider living in the area, but not sure how much interest you would get through AirBnB.

Thanks KG. Was going to explain method about airBnB. Understanding expats are a bit 'mild mannered' but for the more adventurous bunch. Leave a level free for more ad-hoc stays. long lets for the other 2 levels.

[Wu Tango]

Perhaps I missed it, but how does an expat versus local rental market affect any of your building decisions?.

Lots of good points JGL. I tend to agree, if you want the hussle of HK then why avoid it, its the reason why you stay/remain. I wouldn't live in Croydon if you paid me. About the build, was only suggesting locals v expat location - not internal design. However my local builder suggested open plan diner kitchen more expat and locsls prefer closed off kitchen..? Discuss...