Hong Kong begins crackdown on short-term rentals of vacant illegally occupied land

The government will no longer turn a blind eye to short-term rental contracts on vacant land as part of a crackdown on illegal occupation, according to a landmark policy change by the Lands Department.

Owners of private land in the New Territories, many of which are brownfield sites or damaged agricultural areas, often extend their operations of car parks and container storages into vacant neighbouring public land.

For years, the government has tolerated the practice by allowing landlords to file regularisation ­applications, enabling the authorities to legally lease such land.

However, the government will no longer accept new applications to convert illegally occupied land from Tuesday onwards into short-term rental agreements, and offenders could face prosecution, a department statement said.

For unlawful occupation of government land that occurred before March 28, the department will still consider applications.