Section B: Estate Management and Rent Policy Chapter 3: A Rent-free Period of 14 Days By making reference to the average time taken by individual households on preparing for moving to their flats, the Housing Authority has, since 26 April 1993, given all new tenants a rent-free period of 14 days so that decoration can be carried out before the commencement of tenancy. Individual tenants may, however, opt for earlier commencement of tenancy according to their own needs. As for Rent Assistance cases, those households who are required to move to a cheaper accommodation after three years' rent assistance will be granted Domestic Removal Allowance, a rent-free period of one month in respect of their new tenancies and a 14-day rent-free period for decoration purpose. However, they cannot enjoy a rent-free period of one month in respect of their old tenancies. For other cases, households who are eligible for Domestic Removal Allowance (including tenants affected by redevelopment/clearance of estate/management transfers) may also enjoy a rent-free period of one month in respect of their old tenancies apart from a 14-day rent-free period for their new tenancies. The effective date of such period is determined by the commencement date of the new tenancy. For example, if the new tenancy commences on 16 September 2007, the rent-free period in respect of the old tenancy will be from 16 September 2007 to 15 October 2007.

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