Tenants of Hong Kong subdivided flats still plagued by unfair contractual arrangements and opaque charges, activist group says
- A survey on the rental conditions of subdivided flats finds over 70 per cent of respondents risked being overcharged for utilities
- Nearly half have not signed physical contracts, the Concerning Subdivided Units Alliance says

Tenants of Hong Kong’s notorious subdivided flats are still plagued by unfair contractual arrangements and opaque charges despite the launch of a rent control scheme two years ago, a concern group has said.
A survey on the rental conditions of subdivided flats across the city found that more than 70 per cent of respondents risked being overcharged for utilities while nearly half had not signed any physical contracts, according to the Concerning Subdivided Units Alliance on Saturday.
Many of the tenants feared voicing out about exploitative practices suffered under the hands of landlords, said Thomas Tong Sheung-man, a member of the alliance.
“Tenants are sacrificing their rights and protection under the tenancy control agreement in exchange for lower rent,” he said. “We are disheartened by this situation.”

Under the government’s 2022 tenancy control scheme, landlords and tenants of subdivided flats have to sign an agreement spelling out the rent, deposit, utility charges and fees for breaches.