**********************************
The Land Registry today (May 5) released the land registration statistics for April, 2008.
The total number of sale and purchase agreements for all types of building units received for registration in the Land Registry in April, 2008 was 10,945. This was a decrease of 0.4% from March, 2008 and 0.3% compared with April, 2007.
Using a 12-month moving average, the figure for April, 2008 represented a decrease of 0.01% from March, 2008 but an increase of 49.4% compared with April, 2007.
The total consideration of these agreements in the month was $33.5 billion, down 23.9% from March, 2008 and 23.1% compared with the amount for April, 2007.
Among the 10,945 sale and purchase agreements, 9,047 were sale and purchase agreements for residential units. This was a decrease of 5.3% from March, 2008 and 5.1% compared with April, 2007.
The total consideration of these agreements in the month was $27.6 billion, down 26.4% from March, 2008 and 30.1% compared with the amount for April, 2007.
Sales of residential units refer to the sale and purchase agreements with payment of stamp duty. These statistics do not include sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme and the Tenants Purchase Scheme except those after payment of premium.
The figures are contained in the monthly statistics released today by the Land Registry on deeds relating to property transactions received for registration in the Land Registry in April, 2008.
Relevant statistics for March, 2008, and April, 2007, are provided for comparison. Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months, the year-on-year rate of change and breakdown figures on residential sales are also released.
As deeds may not be lodged with the Land Registry until up to 30 days after the transaction, these statistics generally relate to land transactions in the previous month.
Ends/Monday, May 5, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:15
NNNN
