Land Registry statistics for May 2007 released
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    The Land Registry today (June 4) released the land registration statistics for May, 2007.

     The total number of sale and purchase agreements for all types of building units received for registration in the Land Registry in May was 13,090. This was an increase of 19.3% over April and 40.3% compared with May, 2006.

     Using a 12-month moving average, the figure for May represented an increase of 3.5% over April and 9.1% compared with May, 2006.

     The total consideration of these agreements in the month was $44.9 billion, up 3.1% over April and 35.3% compared with the amount for May, 2006.

     Among the 13,090 sale and purchase agreements, 11,110 were sale and purchase agreements for residential units. This was an increase of 16.6% over April and 42.2% compared with May, 2006.

     The total consideration of these agreements in the month was $38.2 billion, down 3.2% from April but up 63.4% compared with the amount for May, 2006.

     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 May 2007.
 
     Relevant statistics for April, 2007, and May, 2006, 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.

     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.

Ends/Monday, June 4, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:15

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