Housing Authority sets rents for six new estates
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     Rents for 9 968 flats in 17 non-standard blocks of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA)'s six new public rental housing (PRH) estates tentatively expected to be completed between July and December 2015 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 5 082 flats in six blocks in On Tat Estate (Anderson Road Site E, Phases 1 & 2), the 567 flats in one block in Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate (Lower Ngau Tau Kok, Phase 2), the 443 flats in one block in Lei Yue Mun Estate (Lei Yue Mun, Phase 3), and the 2 917 flats in six blocks in So Uk Estate (So Uk, Phase 1).

     The best rent at $68.4 per square metre per month for the flats in Sha Tin District will apply to the 521 flats in one block in Shui Chuen O Estate (Shatin Area 52, Phase 4).

     The best rent at $47.1 per square metre per month for flats in Yuen Long District will apply to the 438 flats in two blocks in Long Ching Estate (Ex-Yuen Long Estate).

    "Under this rent fixing exercise, 89 per cent of the flats are set at a rent level below $2,500 per month," a spokesman for the HA said today (June 9), 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/Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:40

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