British private school Mount Kelly faces eviction from shop over HK$110,000 in unpaid rent

School failed to pay two months of rent for a shop at Austin Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui, property agent Fidelity Realty claims in writ

But school statement dismisses any concerns, saying monetary dispute stems from a misunderstanding between the agent and landlord

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Mount Kelly has had problems finding a site for a permanent campus. Photo: Edmond So

Published: 6:57pm, 22 Mar 2019Updated: 11:23pm, 22 Mar 2019

A British private school which has been struggling to find a site for a permanent campus in Hong Kong is facing eviction from a shop it leases and a lawsuit over HK$110,000 (US$14,100) in unpaid rent, according to a court document made available on Friday.

Property agent Fidelity Realty filed the claim at the High Court, saying Mount Kelly, which arrived in the city two years ago, had failed to pay two months of rent for a shop at Austin Tower in Tsim Sha Tsui.

But a statement from the school dismissed any concerns, saying the monetary dispute stemmed from a misunderstanding between the agent and the landlord.

It said the landlord, which assigned the agent to manage the shop, had since agreed to withdraw the case after discussions with the school.

School officials, including governor Martin Wong (right), at a ceremony in Tuen Mun before the planning application was rejected. Photo: Edmond So

The premises, shop No 1 on the upper ground floor of the tower’s phase II wing, is used as a school office, not as a classroom, according to the statement.

The school also rents part of the second floor of Austin Tower.