Land Registry releases statistics for April
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     The Land Registry today (May 3) released its statistics for April 2013 as follows:

Land registration
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* The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in April was 4,387 (-35.9 per cent compared with March and -59.1 per cent compared with April 2012)

* The 12-month moving average for April was 9,146 (5.5 per cent below the 12-month moving average for March but 12.5 per cent above that for April 2012)

* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in April was $31.9 billion (-28.3 per cent compared with March and -47.6 per cent compared with April 2012)

* Among the sale and purchase agreements, 3,427 were for residential units (-24.4 per cent compared with March and -58.3 per cent compared with April 2012)

* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in respect of residential units was $18.7 billion (-30.8 per cent compared with March and -58.1 per cent compared with April 2012)

     The statistics only include 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 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
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* The number of searches of land registers made by the public in April was 376,374 (-6.7 per cent compared with March and -9.3 per cent compared with April 2012)

     The statistics cover searches made at the counter, through the self-service terminals and via the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services.

Ends/Friday, May 3, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:02

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