Length of Lease

[Moving2HK]

Dear all,

I am about to move to Hong Kong and already decided where I would like to stay. But now I was wondering if it is necessary to specify the length/period of the lease/rental. In Germany, you usually rent an apartment without specifying the lease period. You just have to cancel the agreement three months in advance when you would like to move to another place. Is there a similar rule in Hong Kong? I am not sure if I will stay in Hong Kong for 18 months, 24 months, 36 months... so it would be great for me to have an unspecified lease period.

Thanks!

[ontheroad]

Dear all,

I am about to move to Hong Kong and already decided where I would like to stay. But now I was wondering if it is necessary to specify the length/period of the lease/rental. In Germany, you usually rent an apartment without specifying the lease period. You just have to cancel the agreement three months in advance when you would like to move to another place. Is there a similar rule in Hong Kong? I am not sure if I will stay in Hong Kong for 18 months, 24 months, 36 months... so it would be great for me to have an unspecified lease period.

Thanks!

I think here most contracts are 13 months leases, renewable... If you break the lease you have to find someone to take the lease over for you or pay until your owner finds someone new.

[Moving2HK]

I think here most contracts are 13 months leases, renewable... If you break the lease you have to find someone to take the lease over for you or pay until your owner finds someone new.

Thanks. So, can they kick me out after 13 months or can I insist on staying another 13 months? Do I have to renegotiate the rent after each 13 months period?

[ontheroad]

You can sign for 12 months renewable as many times as they let you. If they do decide to renegotiate the rent I think there is a clause where you can stay for one year longer before they kick you out.

[ontheroad]

Oups double post, please delete!

[beachball]

Uh? Most residential leases in Hong Kong are for two years at a set rent, with a one month notice cancellation option for the tenant only during the second year. Hence, you typically cannot get kicked out after 13 months (but more or less can leave anytime between then and the end of the lease) and rental (re-)negotiations generally happen every two years.
Of course, nothing prevents you from adjusting the rent or ending the lease at any given point of time - provided that both landlord and tenant agree to this...

[Moving2HK]

Thanks for the info.

[RoyalAid]

If I were you I would try to get a 2 year contract but on year 2 be able to get out with a months notice. Then ask for a little bit price rent wise due to the longer contract.