One of Hong Kong's top property agencies is suing a businessman who assisted a would-be buyer of fung shui master Tony Chan Chun-chuen's luxury house on The Peak after the deal fell through last July.
In a writ filed on Friday, Centaline Property Agency is claiming damages of HK$4.6 million from Derrick Hung Viet Luu. It says that Luu agreed to be personally liable for commission or damages if the sale of the house for HK$230 million to Brilliant Castle International fell through.
The vendor was Tribiani Holdings - a company controlled by the Chan family. The property - House 3 at Severn 8 - was among properties Chan sold last year while he fought the expensive court battle over the estate of his alleged late lover, Chinachem tycoon Nina Wang Kung Yu-sum. Chan, who lost the battle, was ordered in April to pay HK$140 million in legal fees for Chinachem Charitable Foundation.
His own fees were estimated to be more than HK$200 million.
The writ states that Luu, for and on behalf of Brilliant Castle International, signed a preliminary sale and purchase agreement with the vendor, dated July 21. It further states that Luu agreed he would be personally liable for commission or damages if the company fails to pay.
The agency agreement between Centaline and Luu, for and on behalf of the company, states that Centaline would be entitled to a commission of 1 per cent of the purchase price.
