Land Registry statistics for February released
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   The Land Registry today (March 2) released the land registration statistics for February, 2006.

    The total number of sale and purchase agreements for all types of building units received for registration in the Land Registry in February, 2006, was 6,413.  This was an increase of 9.5% over January, 2006, but a decrease of 33.4% compared with February, 2005.

    Using a 12-month moving average, the figure for February, 2006, represented a decrease of 2.7% from January, 2006, and 5.4% compared with February, 2005.

    The total consideration of these agreements in the month was $16.5 billion, up 15.1% over January, 2006, but down 42.9% compared with the amount for February, 2005.

    Among the 6,413 sale and purchase agreements, 5,369 were sale and purchase agreements for residential units.  This was an increase of 9.6% over January, 2006, but a decrease of 35% compared with February, 2005.

    The total consideration of these agreements in the month was $13.6 billion, up 15.8% over January, 2006, but down 42% compared with the amount for February, 2005.

    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 February, 2006.

    Relevant statistics for January, 2006, and February, 2005, 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.

    These statistics generally relate to land transactions executed up to four weeks prior to their submission for registration, as there is usually a time lag between the execution of deeds and their lodgement for registration.

Ends/Thursday, March 2, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:18

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