Given our extensive coverage of the trials and tribulations of Deborah Annells and her tax consultancy business, AzureTax, we feel duty-bound to advise you of the latest developments. The landlord who owns the company premises in Lippo Centre is suing her for unpaid rent and vacant possession of the property.
Readers will recall that Annells, a well-known tax consultant to expatriates, is currently on HK$250,000 bail after appearing in Eastern Magistrates' Courts in November last year charged with 29 counts of theft and fraud amounting to HK$25.4 million. No plea was taken then and the case was remanded until next month while police investigated two further complaints against her involving HK$12.7 million. On her website, Annells has denied the charges and says she will vigorously defend herself.
The recent writ says AzureTax pays a monthly rent of HK$229,467 for office space in Lippo Centre, which excludes rates, management fees and air-conditioning costs. It alleges that the company failed to pay rent, management and air-conditioning charges and rates for the period between September 1 and November 30 last year.
The tenancy agreement stipulates that if any of these payments is not met within 15 days, a daily interest charge of 2 per cent per month of the unpaid amount is also due (mesne profits).
The writ states that the landlord received payments on December 2, 12 and 19 last year of HK$799,985, HK$99,828.40 and HK$55,500 respectively. After the last payment, it alleges, this meant Annells owed HK$47,063.04, together with "mesne profits" of HK$8,821.70 per day from December 20. So far, this totals just over HK$247,000.
In addition, the landlord is demanding AzureTax quit the property.
Interestingly, there is a note on AzureTax's website that says negotiations are under way to sell Azure Tax Group, the Seychelles-based parent company, and subsidiaries AzureTax Ltd and AzureTrustees to Zetland Fiduciary Group, a Hong Kong-based group. It says the deal is expected to be completed early this year.