The Sales of First-hand Residential Properties Authority (SRPA) and the Estate Agents Authority (EAA) conducted a joint inspection at the sales office of a first-hand residential development today (May 26).
 
     The SRPA has all along been monitoring closely the sales conditions of first-hand residential properties subject to the regulation of the Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Ordinance while the EAA attaches great importance to the conduct of estate agents when promoting the sales of first-hand residential properties. The SRPA has maintained close liaison and conducted joint operations with the EAA to ensure that the sales of first-hand residential properties are conducted in an orderly manner and the interests of both the vendors and purchasers are protected.
 
     While conducting compliance checks and inspections is a part of the SRPA's work to ensure the transparency and fairness of the sales of first-hand residential properties, the SRPA also attaches great importance to fostering public awareness of the Ordinance.
 
     "During the inspection today, SRPA officers inspected the sales procedures and checked if the vendor had acted in compliance with the requirements of the Ordinance. To enhance consumer protection, the SRPA officers also distributed 'Notes to Purchasers of First-hand Residential Properties' and pamphlets on the Ordinance and the SRPA to prospective purchasers, reminding them on issues they should pay attention to when purchasing first-hand residential properties," an SRPA spokesman said.
 
     Conducting inspections at sales offices of first-hand residential properties is one of the regular duties of the SRPA. The SRPA has inspected all the sales offices and show flats of first-hand residential properties open to the public on or after the Ordinance came into full operation on April 29, 2013. As at May 15 this year, the SRPA had conducted about 2,800 inspections at those sales offices and show flats.
 
     The SRPA will continue to step up compliance checks on sales documents and inspections of sales offices to further enhance the transparency and fairness of the sales of first-hand residential properties, protect the interests of purchasers and provide a level playing field to vendors of first-hand residential properties.

Ends/Friday, May 26, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:27

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