Your guide to renting an apartment in Hong Kong

Finding an apartment in Hong Kong can be time consuming and expensive. There’s a few things you’ll need to think about before you start your search and sign on the dotted line. Our guide breaks it down, so you can focus more on finding your perfect apartment and less on the admin.

Read more: Top dos and don’ts of renting a home in Hong Kong

Choosing a location

Before deciding on the location of your apartment, you should first consider these questions:

• Are you single or married?
• How big is your family?
• Do you have school-going children?
• Do you have pets?
• What is your budget? 

With these considerations in mind, explore the expat-friendly neighbourhoods of Hong Kong with our guide.

Required documents

Landlords and property management companies will need a few of documents from you. These include:

• Passport copy
• Hong Kong ID, if you have one
• Employment letter and contract
• Valid working permit

If the landlord has a mortgage on the apartment, you should ask them to show you a copy of the bank’s written consent. Most mortgage deeds contain a clause that states that the mortgagor must get written consent from the bank before renting out the property. If the landlord does not have the written consent and defaults on repayments, the bank will ask you to move out of the apartment. This will leave you in an inconvenienced position. With the written consent, even if the bank took possession of the property, you would not need to vacate as the bank would go according to the tenancy terms.

Tenancy period

The minimum tenancy period for renting an apartment in Hong Kong is not set in stone. However, most landlords in Hong Kong have a preference for tenants who rent their apartments for two years or more. A standard tenancy agreement is a two-year lease with a break clause after one year. Two months’ termination notice is usually required. The lease can be in the name of the company you work for or a personal lease in your own name.

If you’d like to rent an apartment for a shorter period time, there are various serviced apartments (a popular option among expats) that can offer you a better deal with more flexible terms. The minimum period of stay can be as short as one week.

Cost of renting an apartment

The minimum rent for an apartment is about HK$15,000 for a one-bedroom apartment far from the city. For a bigger space with at a more convenient location, the rent for a one-bedroom is usually between HK$20,000 and $30,000. The cost can vary depending on a number of factors including the number of bedrooms, the proximity to the city and amenities in the building. 

Besides the actual rent, you will pay a security deposit worth two to three months of the rent and a monthly management fee for the maintenance of the property. Government rates which are 5% of the annual rent may also apply.