The Sales of First-hand Residential Properties Authority (SRPA) stated that an estate agent, who contravened the Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Ordinance, was convicted today (April 14) at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts and was sentenced to two months' immediate imprisonment for each offence, to be served concurrently.
 
     The estate agent disseminated a piece of information, on December 6 and 8, 2019, respectively, which is likely to induce another person to purchase a specified residential property and the information is false or misleading. This contravenes section 78 of the Ordinance and the estate agent was prosecuted by the SRPA.
 
     A spokesman for the SRPA said that this is the first conviction of an estate agent since the Ordinance came into force on April 29, 2013. The SRPA reminds estate agents not to use unfair practices to sell first-hand residential properties. To avoid contravening the law inadvertently, estate agents should learn more about the Ordinance, provide correct information to prospective purchasers and comply with good selling practices.
 
     The SRPA also advises prospective purchasers to be vigilant about promotional materials, to study the sales documents carefully and to check with vendors directly if they have any doubt about the information provided by others.
 
     Details of the case have been uploaded onto the SRPA's website at www.srpa.gov.hk/en/prosecution-cases.html for public inspection.

Ends/Friday, April 14, 2023
Issued at HKT 17:59

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