*************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:
Rents for 9 471 flats in 17 non-standard blocks of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA)'s five new public rental housing (PRH) estates expected to be completed between January and June 2016 tentatively will be set at the current best rent levels in their respective districts.
The best rent at $70.8 per square metre per month for the flats in Urban District will apply to the 187 flats in the single block in Wah Ha Estate (Conversion of Chai Wan Factory Estate to PRH), and the 3 494 flats in four blocks in On Tat Estate (Anderson Road Site D).
The best rent at $68.4 per square metre per month for the flats in Sha Tin District will apply to the 4 104 flats in seven blocks in Shui Chuen O Estate (Shatin Area 52, Phases 3 & 4).
The best rent at $62.0 per square metre per month for the flats in Tai Po District will apply to the 483 flats in two blocks in Po Heung Estate (Po Heung Street, Tai Po).
The best rent at $47.1 per square metre per month for flats in Yuen Long District will apply to the 1 203 flats in three blocks in Long Shin Estate (Au Tau Departmental Quarters).
"Under this rent fixing exercise, 91 per cent of the flats are set at a rent level below $2,500 per month," a spokesman for the HA said today (January 22), adding that PRH rents, which are inclusive of rates, management fees and maintenance costs, are heavily subsidised.
"PRH applicants who are allocated new flats but cannot afford the rents may request for refurbished flats at lower rents, and they may also apply for assistance under the Rent Assistance Scheme for flats in older block types where applicable," the spokesman added.
Ends/Friday, January 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:02
NNNN
