1. How to find a Suitable Accommodation Student Residence Office 21 August 2013 Student Residence Office Guest Speaker: Centaline Property 21 August 2013

2. How to find a suitable Accommodation Part 1 Why living off-campus? Roles & Services provided by Student Residence Office Housing Alternatives Survey of 2012-CityU Students Living Off-campus Important Points Part 2 Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance Notes on Signing a Tenancy Agreement Renting Procedures Part 3 Itinerary of Tour Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

3. Why living Off-campus? Finding affordable and comfortable accommodation in Hong Kong can be quite a challenge. Yet, there are tons of benefits you will enjoy by living off-campus. e.g. - Freedom - Flexibility - Chance to Learn - Life-long Experience Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

4. Role & Services Provided by Student Residence Office (SRO) Provides general assistance for students on off-campus accommodation Website: http://www.cityu.edu.hk/sro/htm/e_off-campus2.htm Accommodation/Roommate Search (OCAS) http://www.cityu.edu.hk/sro/htm/e_off-campus1.htm Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

5. Housing Alternatives Non-government Organization Hostels /Guest Houses Service Apartments Budget Hotels Private Rental Properties Short-Term Accommodations http://www.cityu.edu.hk/sro/htm/e_off-campus10.htm Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

6. Survey of 2012 – Student living off-campus Students spend less than 1 month to find housing (50%) Main source of accommodation search is property agents (45%) Shatin is the most welcome place to reside (44%) $3000 to $3999 comprise of 34% of the respondents' individual spending on accommodation per month (including rental, water, electricity, gas and internet) Student Residence Office 21 August 2013 Type of Students No. of Non-local Students in CityU No. of Students Living Off-Campus No. of response Response Rate Tpg Students1739171475644.1% Rpg Students7582006030.0% Professional Doctorate Level Students45411946.3% Exchange Students (UG)451592237.3% Exchange Students (PG)19200.0% Total3012201685742.5%

7. Survey of 2012 – Student living off-campus Students spend less than 1 month to find housing (50%) Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

8. Survey of 2012 – Student living off-campus The main source of accommodation search is property agents (45%) Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

9. Survey of 2012 – Student living off-campus Shatin is the most welcome place to reside (44%) Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

10. Survey of 2012 – Student living off-campus $3000 to $3999 comprise of 34% of the respondents' individual spending on accommodation per month (including rental, water, electricity, gas and internet) Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

11. Private Residence Rental Information (Last update: June 2013) Student Residence Office 21 August 2013 Rental varies depending on the estates transportation convenience, size, layout, building year and other factors. The following tables show the estimated rental in nearby districts for your reference only Size of Flat (sq. meter)Estimated Rental, Kowloon (HK$/ per month) <40HK$6,000 – HK$10,080 40-70HK$10,480 – HK$18,314 >70HK$17,920 – HK$25,574 Source: Rents & Rates Department

12. Can I sublet a flat? Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

13. Can I sublet a flat? Under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance, occupier, proprietor or tenant who wish to provide sleeping accommodation at a fee with a tenancy term of less than 28 continuous days, he/she must apply for license. A person permitted to stay in Hong Kong as a student shall only study at a specified school and undertake such course of study as may be approved by the Director of Immigration. Such students are not allowed to take up employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establish or join in any business in Hong Kong, without Directors permission. Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

14. Attention to Illegal Sub-divided Flats Q1: What is Sub-divided flats? A1: The sub-divided flats is a kind of rental housing in Hong Kong, common in tenement and old buildings. That is, when the owner or principal tenant of a residential unit sub-divide flats into smaller independent units for sale or lease. Each smaller unit is typically equipped with toilets. The size of each subdivided flats varies from 30 to 200 square feet. The monthly rent is normally between several hundred to several thousand dollars. Tenants are usually grassroots, new arrivals or single person. They cannot afford high rent or not yet qualified to apply for public housing, thus making the demand for this type of housing high. The profit for illegal alternation flat is high, leading to abundant supply in the market. Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

15. Attention to Illegal Sub-divided Flats Q2: Sub-divided flats is facing what type of problem? A2: Since most of the subdivided flats have not obtained the legal permit in making alternations, violations involving illegal removal of structural walls, the raising of floor for laying sewage system often lead to structural problems of the building. The unit is subdivided into different rooms; the number of tenants living inside a flat exceeds the original design criteria; increased number of people flow within the building; ways of access is narrowed which leads to problems such as insufficient space or means of emergency escape. From 1 January 2008 to 30 April 2011, 4000 complaints have been received by the government. Ma Tau Wai Road Fire in 2011 Student Residence Office 21 August 2013

16. How to identify Illegal Subdivided Flat? Student Residence Office 21 August 2013 1. A flat with several electric meters to divide electricity charges amongst tenants 2. Only a bed place or very simple furniture can be found 3. A subdivided flat usually comes with one main gate and several wooden doors 4. To contact individual tenants several electronic door bells can be found outside the main door

17. Contact Student Residence Office City University of Hong Kong 22 Cornwall Street, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Phone No. 852 3442 1200 Email sro.offcampus@cityu.edu.hk Student Residence Office 21 August 2013