Hong Kong property guides
What the rules actually are, and what they cost you.
Hong Kong property stamp duty: a complete guide
If you buy residential property in Hong Kong today, you will most likely owe only one stamp duty: Ad Valorem Stamp Duty (AVD) at the rates set on 26 February 2026. The two other duties that applied for years — Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) and Special Stamp Duty (SSD) — were abolished for residential
Saleable area vs gross area in Hong Kong property
In Hong Kong property, the only measure that tells you how much indoor space you actually own is the saleable area (實用面積). Gross floor area (建築面積) — which used to be the standard — included a share of common areas, corridors, lift lobbies and sometimes even car parks, making two flats of the same
Buying property in Hong Kong: the full process
Buying a flat in Hong Kong is a staged legal process with defined deadlines, payments, and parties. Your agent guides the search, your solicitor handles the law, and your lender provides the funds. This page walks the sequence from budget to handover, with realistic timelines for each step.
Hong Kong mortgages: how much you can borrow
If you are buying a residential property in Hong Kong, the maximum you can borrow from a bank is 70% of the property's market value — specifically, the lower of the purchase price and the bank's valuation. This single, standardised loan-to-value (LTV) cap applies to all residential properties,
Renting in Hong Kong: a tenant's guide
Renting a flat in Hong Kong is a straightforward process once you understand the sequence and the cash required up front. The standard arrangement is a two-year lease with a break clause, and the money you need before moving in typically equals four months’ rent — two months as deposit, one month’s
The cost of owning property in Hong Kong
For most buyers, the purchase price is only the first number that matters. The true cost of owning a flat in Hong Kong is the sum of several recurring charges that, taken together, often add 1–2% of the property’s value to your annual outlay — and that is before you account for mortgage interest.