The Hong Kong Government announced a refund on the rates for the third quarter.
However, have Donald Tsang, the Ratings and Valuations Department and the Treasury any plans to ensure that the correct people benefit from this refund, that is, those who have moved out of their rented accommodation for which they have already paid the rates? It would be grossly unfair to the person originally paying the rates on a rented flat not to be able to recover this refund which would automatically accrue to them if they had stayed in their rented flat for several more months. If this situation is not handled in an equitable manner, the next tenant will unjustifiably benefit from the previous occupant's payments to the Treasury.
In short - just what are the relevant departments going to do to address this problem and ensure that the right people benefit and others do not gain unwarranted 'windfall' savings on their rates? LOK MAN-LOONG Mid-Levels
