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The Land Registry today (April 4) released the land registration statistics for March 2005.
The total number of sale and purchase agreements for all types of building units received for registration in the Land Registry in March 2005 was 10,238. This was an increase of 6.3% over February 2005 but a decrease of 26.5% compared with March 2004.
Using a 12-month moving average, the figure for March 2005 represented a decrease of 3% from February 2005 but an increase of 14.6% compared with March 2004.
The total consideration of these agreements in the month was $33.3 billion, up 14.7% over February 2005 but down 18.7% compared with the amount for March 2004.
Among the 10,238 sale and purchase agreements, 8,673 were sale and purchase agreements for residential units. This was an increase of 5% over February 2005 but down 24.2% compared with March 2004.
The total consideration of these agreements in the month was $26.7 billion, up 13.6% over February 2005 but down 19.1% compared with the amount for March 2004.
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 Urban and New Territories Land Registries in March 2005.
Relevant statistics for February 2005 and March 2004 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 lodgment for registration.
Ends/Monday, April 4, 2005
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Information on the land registration statistics for downloading (pdf
format):
