Property owners have called on the government to tighten laws protecting them against growing numbers of tenants who refuse to pay rent or who vandalise their flats before moving out.
Michael Shea Hing-wan, chairman of the Hong Kong Owners' Club, which has more than 3,000 property owners as members, said landlords suffered a collective loss of $500 million a year because of tenants' unscrupulous behaviour.
The Lands Tribunal has recorded a large number of tenancy disputes in recent years.
In the first half of this year, 2,522 cases were filed with the tribunal. Last year, 5,207 cases were recorded, compared to 4,476 in 2000.
Mr Shea said the existing Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance had failed to protect their rights.
'Under the existing law, we can just go to the courts when tenants refuse to pay rent and they do not have a criminal responsibility. It's unfair,' he said.
At present, harassment of a tenant and unlawful eviction are criminal offences carrying a fine of up to $500,000.