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New Arrivals

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People newly settled in Hong Kong can apply for public rental flats if they meet the eligibility criteria. They can also live in private properties, but they must be careful that the flat rented or purchased is not an illegal structure such as rooftop, podium constructions, temporary partition units or squatters.

Rent a Public Rental Housing (PRH) Flat

Allocation of public rental flats is processed following the sequence of application number on the Housing Department's (HD) General Waiting List. People newly moved to Hong Kong can register on the Waiting List if they are aged 18 or above and fulfilling the income and asset limit. However, by the time a PRH flat is allocated, half of the household members in the application must have lived in Hong Kong for at least seven years and must still be living in Hong Kong.

PRH application is categorized into Ordinary Families, Singletons and Senior Citizens. Application guides and application forms are free of charge and can be obtained at any one of the Estate Offices, Home Affairs offices, Housing Information Centres and Application Section of the HD.

We have also set up a 24-hour pre-recorded hotline 2112 2712 to provide information on PRH applications. There will be dedicated staff to answer the calls during office hours.

Rent or Purchase Private Properties

People newly moved to Hong Kong can also rent or buy a private property, but they should be careful not to rent or purchase any illegal structures such as unauthorized rooftop, podium structures or temporary partition units:

 
Any construction work, such as construction, renovation, demolition, change of use and drainage work, must have the approval and consent of the Buildings Department before being carried out;

Pursuant to the Buildings Ordinance, construction work without approval is a serious crime. Once convicted, the person will be liable to a maximum of two years' imprisonment and $100,000 fine;

The Buildings Department will issue a notification to demand the flat owner to remove all illegal or dangerous structures in the property within a said period. Failure to comply with the demand is a criminal offence, and the person is liable to a maximum of one year's imprisonment and $50,000 fine.
For further enquires please call the Buildings Department:
Buildings Department (Building Information Hotline): 2626 1313
Buildings Department (Building Safety Hotline): 2626 1234
Buildings Department (General Enquiries): 2626 1616

It is important that people newly moved to Hong Kong SHOULD NOT buy any squatter structures. The HD has registered all squatter residents in 1984 / 85. People not registered on the list are not eligible for PRH flats upon squatter clearance.

For further enquiries, please call the Enquiry Hotline: 2712 2712

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Last revision date: 5 December 2003