**********************************************
The Land Registry today (March 4) released its statistics for February 2014.
Land registration
-----------------
* The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in February was 3,987 (-31.5 per cent compared with January and -58.7 per cent compared with February 2013)
* The 12-month moving average for February was 5,197 (8.3 per cent below the 12-month moving average for January and 49.5 per cent below that for February 2013)
* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in February was $25.9 billion (-22.9 per cent compared with January and -56.1 per cent compared with February 2013)
* Among the sale and purchase agreements, 3,159 were for residential units (-29.6 per cent compared with January and -49.9 per cent compared with February 2013)
* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in respect of residential units was $21.1 billion (-22.7 per cent compared with January and -45.5 per cent compared with February 2013)
The statistics only cover sale and purchase agreements with payment of stamp duty. Sale and purchase agreements relating to the sale of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme and the Tenants Purchase Scheme are not included unless the premium of the unit concerned has been paid after the sale restriction period.
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 have also been 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.
Land search
-----------
* The number of searches of land registers made by the public in February was 297,619 (-10.1 per cent compared with January and -11.4 per cent compared with February 2013)
The statistics cover searches made at the counter, through the self-service terminals and via the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services.
Ends/Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:30
NNNN