************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority today (June 1) issued a reminder that the public consultation on the review of domestic rent policy would close on June 9.
The consultation paper sets out the initial findings of the Housing Authority's Ad Hoc Committee on Review of Domestic Rent Policy. Among the most important reform proposals put forth is to establish a more transparent and well-defined index-linked mechanism to guide future rent adjustments, both upwards and downwards, based on movements in consumer price or tenants' household income.
The consultation paper also examines a host of other key issues central to the formulation of the HA's domestic rent policy. They include ﷿
- alternative methods for measuring tenants' affordability;
- possible measures to improve the methodology for assessing the median rent-to-income ratio;
- possible introduction of a system of differential rents based on floor levels, orientation and external views of flats;
- possibility of charging "exclusive rents", i.e. net rents exclusive of rates and management fees;
- feasibility of practicing fixed-term tenancy; and
- rent review cycle.
Copies of the consultation document and executive summary can be obtained from district offices and estate management offices of public rental housing estates or downloaded from the HA website (www.housingauthority.gov.hk).
People are advised to send their views by fax (2761 5770), by e-mail (cdrp@housingauthority.gov.hk) or by post (The Committees' Section, Housing Department, 10/F, Block 2, Housing Authority Headquarters, 33 Fat Kwong Street, Kowloon) on or before June 9, 2006.
Ends/Thursday, June 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 11:34
NNNN