Once At Home has found you your new home, we will send the owner of the property (the Landlord) a written offer letter detailing all the terms and conditions of the lease. All offer letters are "Subject to Contract" (or the signing of the formal Tenancy Agreement). Both parties sign the offer letter signifying acceptance of the basic terms and conditions which would detail the term of the lease, rental and other special conditions. Typical residential leases in Hong Kong are for a period of two years.

The leasing laws are frequently changing, and we will make sure that you are aware of the current conditions. The following conditions are typically included in an offer letter :

• Break Clause - The break clause permits the Tenant to break the tenancy agreement legitimately (without any penalties), by giving the Landlord due written notice after a period of one year. Depending on the specified notice period, the minimum period of stay in the apartment could be fourteen months, fifteen months or in some cases, even eighteen months.
• Other Conditions - The Tenant may wish for some special conditions to be included prior to the signing of the formal tenancy agreement. This could include the keeping of pets, requesting the Landlord to provide some specific items of furniture or appliances, or some special items pertaining to the renovation works required.
• Management Fees - Management fees are charges that are levied by the Management Company of the building or development and are payable by the Tenant on a monthly basis. These fees are for the management and operation, repair, upkeep and security of the building or development. Management fees vary depending on the facilities provided and the size of the development. Usually, they are between 5-10% of the monthly rental.
• Government Rates and Government Rent - In Hong Kong, there are two types of government rates : general rates and Urban Council rates, and both appear on the same Rates Demand Note on a quarterly basis. The rates are paid quarterly in advance directly to the Hong Kong Government.
  

  The amount payable is a percentage of the rateable value of the property, and is currently set at 5% of the rateable value for residential units. The rates are fixed annually by the Legislative Council and the rateable value of the property (approximately the same as the annual rental) is assessed every few years by the Rating and Valuation Department.

  For properties that were held on Government leases which expired in 1997, there is a further levy of 3% of the rateable value, which is called the Government Rent. This is reflected on the same Demand Note and is billed quarterly in advance too. It is normal practice for the Landlord to pay the Government Rent.