Tips on Living in Hong Kong
Basic Services:
Payment Methods (Auto-pay, ATM, Checks. Online, Post Office, Service Counters)
Amenities
- Gas
- Electricity: Hong Kong Is., Kowloon, Other
- Water
- Telephone/International Calls
- Internet/Cable TV
Q and A
- Plumbing: Kitchen/Toilet/Bath Tub
- Electricity
- Gas
- Electric Appliance
- Washing Machine (drum)
- Air-conditioner
- Typhoon, Heavy rain
- Furniture
- Other flat related problems (wall/floor)
- Keys
- Mold, Pests
- Noise from Neighbors
- Pets
- Postal Delivery
- Others (Garbage, Fire)
- Contract Agreement
1) Early Termination
2) Contract Renewal
Payment Methods
When making monthly payments for basic amenities such as gas, electricity and water, the following are the most common methods available.
- Auto Pay: Auto pay services allows for hassle free payments made directly out of your account to the proprietor monthly. Application forms are available from your bank. The service may take up to 1 month to implement. During your absence or when moving from Hong Kong, remember to cancel the service.
- ATM: If the receiver’s account number is known, payments can be made through ATMs found throughout the city.
- Check- Checks may be mailed to the recipient’s address, but receipts may not be issued.
- Online: Internet payments can also be made . For instructions, please visit the service provider website for details.
- Post office: Cashiers checks are available from post offices.
- Service counter: Service counters are available throughout the city where payments are accepted.
2880-6988 (Customer Service Hotline)
2880-6999 (Emergency Hotline)
2880-5522 (Meter Reading Hotline)
http://www.hkcg.com
Gas meters are reported by users to the gas companies and are usually found in the kitchen. A 24 hour customer service line with instructions in Cantonese, Mandarin and English are available. You are requested to enter your account number and gas meter reading at regular intervals. If reporting is foregone, an approximation is made by the gas company based on previous bills.
Back To Top
Hong Kong Island
H.K. Electric Holdings Ltd.
2887-3411(Customer Service Hotline)
2555-4000 (Emergency Hotline)
Monthly payments
http://www.heh.com/hehWeb/Index_en.htm
Sample Bill for HK. Electric Holdings Ltd.
Kowloon China Light and Power Ltd.
2678-2678 (Customer Service Hotline)
2628-8333 (Emergency Hotline)
http://www.clpgroup.com
Payments every 2 months
Sample Bill for CLP
Water Supplies Department
2824-5000 (Customer Services Hotline)
2824-5000 (Emergency Hotline)
http://www.wsd.gov.hk
Payments once every 4 months
Sample Bill for Water Supplies Department
Telephone Service
PCCW-HKT Ltd.
1000 (Customer Service Hotline)
2888-0008 (Sales Hotline)
http://www.pccw.com/eng/
Hutchinson Global Communications Ltd.
1220 (Customer Services Hotline)
http://www.hgc.com.hk/
New World Telecom
1239 (Customer Services Hotline)
2131-3377 (Sales Hotline)
http://www.newworldtel.com/
International Calls: All above mentioned companies and several other companies provide long distance telephone services. Please compare prices and chose the most suitable company for your call.
KDDI
2968-1717 (Japanese Hotline)
http://www.kddi.com.hk/jp/services/idd.html
All calls made within Hong Kong are free. Residential buildings may already have a designated provider. If there are any questions or if you are dissatisfied with the service, please contact the management company for further assistance.
Back To Top
Internet Services/Cable TV
The previous mentioned companies (PCCW, HGC, NWT) all provide internet services, along with several other companies. Please choose the best service for your needs.
HK Net (NTT Communications)
2520-0052 (Japanese Hotline)
http://www.hknet.com/jp/cs/cs.html
Netvigator (PCCW)
1833-833 (Customer Services Hotline)
http://www.netvigator.com/mega/index_eng.htm
Most established IP with broadband.
TV:
Cable TV
1832-832 (Customer Service Hotline)
http://www.cabletv.com.hk
Now.com (PCCW, netvigator)
1833-888 (Customer Service Hotline)
http://nowbroadbandtv.com/eng
Back To Top
Consulting with your Owner
Before making any amendments to your flat or fixing any problem that may arise, please remember to contact the owner of the flat or the management company before doing so. In some cases, refunds are not granted if changes are made without their knowledge and consent. Owners often have their own appointed contractors at competitive pricing.
Requesting for Refunds on Expenses
In most instances, fees for maintenance works will be billed directly to the owner, but for specific appliances such as air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators, payment will be expected upon completion of the work. At this point, the tenant is responsible for making the payment and sending the receipt to the owner for refunds.
Responsible Relationship
It is likely that you will have to contact your owner for assistance during your tenancy term. It is very important therefore to maintain a good relationship with your owner so as to resolve any issue as soon as possible. While it is he responsibility of the owner to accommodate all structural maintenance issues, anything that can be dealt with by the tenant personally would be appreciated. Please use your best judgment.
Useful Tools to Have
In order to repair furniture, electrical appliances or personal apparatus, some tools are useful to have at hand: these include a hammer, saw, pliers, screwdriver, tape measure, scissors, small knife, tape, nails etc. These items can be purchased at any hardware store or $10 shop located around town. Rubber cement may also be useful in cases of minor leaks.
Back To Top
Water Leaks
Water pipes in Hong Kong are prone to damage from rust etc. (toilet flush water is supplied directly from the ocean). It is also important to prevent pipes from clogging due to large debris or hair.
Kitchen:
1Q: What to do when there is a leak from the bottom of the sink?
A: If joints are loose, tighten them. Clogged drainage can be unclogged using chemical dissolvers sold at any super market. Small leaks can be covered with rubber cement, or rubber gaskets can be bought from hardware shops. If it is a serious leak, the owner or the management company should be notified.
2Q: How do you turn on the range hood above the stove?
A: New models on the market require pulling the hood towards you, while the older models have on-off switch.
Bathroom:
1Q: The toilet does not flush.
A: First talk to the building manager. General construction and temporary closure of pipes is possible to accommodate repair works. Notices should be found in common areas.
2Q: The toilet does not stop running.
A: The plastic float in the tank may need adjusting so that it floats freely.
3Q: The toilet has clogged.
A: Try a plunger, if this does not work, then contact the owner or management company. The tenant will have to take responsibility for charges, unless the problem is traced elsewhere. Please take caution not to flush anything other than toilet paper.
Bathtub:
1Q: There is no stopper or lost stopper in the bathtub or sink.
A: Please stop at any hardware or appliance shop to purchase a rubber stopper or metal sieves.
2Q: The water is not clear.
A: Most likely cause is that the premises may have been vacant for a while. Keep the tap open and run the water till it gets clear. If the problem persists, contact owner.
3Q: The water in the tub or basin over flowed.
A: If the water has over flowed into other rooms, please turn on the air-conditioner or dehumidifier to dry. Water may start to leak into the floor below, in which case, please contact the management company asap.
4Q: Water is leaking from the shower head.
A: Please replace the shower head with another, easily found in any store for less than HK$100.
5Q: The floor has become uneven.
A: There is a possibility that there is a leak under the floor board. Please inform the owner asap to examine the problem.
6Q: There is a leak from under the bathroom sink.
A: There is a likelihood that the parts of the pipes are loose. It is easy to fasten or if in more serious cases, to find parts that need replacing from a hardware store. If the problem calls for greater attention, please seek help from the management company or your owner.
7Q: The bathroom has a very strange smell.
A: Again, water is pumped from the harbor and used in bathrooms in Hong Kong. If the bathroom has not been used for a long time, leave the toilet cover open, or use toilet cleaners or chemical drainage to clean or unclog the pipes.
Back To Top
Electricity
The voltage in Hong Kong is 220V, therefore appliances from the US., Japan and other countries that use 110V will not work. A universal adapter can be bought from any electrical or appliance store and used to convert the different systems.
1Q: The electricity has suddenly gone out.
A: There is a central breaker box located within the apartment. Locate this box before moving in. There could be a switch in the breaker box that has been flipped down, because of a circuit overload in one of the rooms. This switch can be easily moved back to position.
Back To Top
Gas
1Q: There is a smell of gas in the air and the gas range does not come on.
A: Gas leaks are extremely dangerous and should be attended by the Town Gas service maintenance crew. Please contact them immediately at the first sign of possible gas leaks.
Emergency Hotline ?2880-6999 (24-hr hotline)
Back To Top
Electric appliances and TV
1Q: The lights have gone out in a place where I cannot reach.
A: Please borrow a ladder from the building maintenance personnel.
2Q: I have changed the light bulb, but the light still will not turn on.
A: There could be a problem with the appliance/light fixture or the electrical wiring. Please contact your owner and have them fix it.
3Q: The light bulb has broken in two, leaving the bottom half in the socket.
A: If you turn the electricity off, a pliers can be used to unscrew the bottom out.
4Q: The appliance that came with the flat has broken.
A: Please contact your owner to replace it or fix it.
5Q: The usual satellite TV programs are not showing on the screen.
A: Due to bad weather patterns, the satellite dish on the roof of the apartment building could be moved. This is the responsibility of the management company for the building.
6Q: Cable TV is no longer showing.
A: Cable TV sometimes undergoes system updates which should appear on the screen. You can call the customer service hotline ?1832832 for assistance or to leave a message. An engineer can also be called to help.
7Q: The sound on the TV or DVD cannot be heard any more.
A: The audio input cable may be loose and need readjusting.
8Q: The door bell does not work.
A: There could be a broken electrical line or battery problem in the doorbell. This can be easily replaced/repaired. Door bell chime box is found in the kitchen.
9Q: The instruction manual cannot be found.
A: Please contact your landlord for assistance with appliances that were bought and left prior to your moving in. Building management office usually keep set of manuals if the appliances are standard model installed in the building. The maker of the appliance can also be reached by phone by calling the customer service hotline. Please refer to a telephone directory.
Back To Top
Washing Machine (with drum)
The lint in the filter, found in the front of the dryer should be cleaned once a week. The filter should also be washed to remove any odor or possibility of bacterial contamination.
1Q: The switch is on, but the machine does not turn on.
A: The latch on the door of the washing machine or dryer may not be properly fastened. Shut the door tightly.
2Q: The washing machine was spun, but the clothes are still very wet.
A: The catch for debris in the washing machine could be stuck. Please remove any pieces that are stuck slowly in order to avoid flooding. Read the instruction manual once more for further instructions.
3Q: The washing machine is making tremendous noise.
A: The washing load could be tangled into one large ball, making the tumbling action very vigorous. This could sway the washing machine back and forth causing the large crashing sound. The drum could also be damaged. Please call technical services for further assistance.
4Q: The dryer does not work completely.
A: The load a dryer can take is ?the weight of the washing load. It is therefore important that you do not overload the dryer.
Back To Top
Air Conditioner
The air conditioner filter needs at least a once per month cleaning. It is very easy to remove and wash with water. It will reduce indoor air pollution or prevent bacterial growth which is one cause of colds. If it is not cleaned, the electricity bill can also be higher
1Q: The air conditioner does not turn on.
A: Please check to see if the pilot switch is on, the batteries in the remote control or whether the breaker switch is down.
2Q: No cold air is being expelled.
A: check the setting and make sure it is not on “fan? If the setting is correct, check the cooling gas and replace it by calling the owner.
3Q: There is water leaking from the air conditioner.
A: If the filter is not cleaned regularly, accumulated dust interferes with water drainage, leaving condensed water to drip from the air conditioner. Use a bucket to catch water and call the owner for repair.
4Q: The floor below complains about water dripping onto their air conditioner.
A: Report the claims to the owner and repair.
5Q: The air from the air conditioner smells bad.
A: This is due to an unclean filter. Allergy sheets 3M can be used over the filter to trap smaller particles. Change these regularly and wash the filter thoroughly.
6Q: I would like to clean the entire air conditioner form the inside.
A: Contact the landlord for the servicing arrangement or get consent to appoint your own if you are responsible for the cost.
7Q: Can the air conditioner be left on throughout a long trip.
A: This could be the cause of an accident, therefore if there is a timer, program it so that a daily schedule of one hour is predicted.
Back To Top
Typhoon and Storms
In Hong Kong, the rainy season runs between Feb and March where the humidity can reach approximately 90% and typhoons usually hit during the summer.
The window installation standard of the buildings in Hong Kong are not the best and they are often loosely fitted causing water leak when faced with strong rainstorm or typhoon weather. It is the tenant’s responsibility to take all precautionary measures to prevent the damage. Please follow the next steps when there is a possibility of heavy rain and wind:
- Close all windows.
- Close all the ventilation fans installed in the windows. Window fans have cover and when it is open, the strong wind can easily blow off the cover and rain will come in. Tenant will be held responsible the cost in this situation.
- Remove items kept near the windows. Water and broken windows may cause serious damage to your belongings especially TV, Computer etc. must be guarded.
- Secure the windows by putting tape over the glasses, have plenty of towels and newspapers ready in case of water leak.
Back To Top
Furniture
Many owners agree to supply tenants with furniture in addition to appliances. The furniture can be from previous tenants, or may be bought using an allowance. Either case, all items need to be left when moving out. If any item is damaged or stolen, appropriate amount of compensation will be withdrawn from the deposit.
1Q: What should I do if I want to get rid of the furniture that came with the apartment and replace it?
A: Please contact your owner. They may agree to remove it for you or you may have to remove it yourself. Please contact Principles Property so that the tenancy agreement can be amended accordingly.
2Q: I would like to move the furniture from one room to another.
A: Any changes to the furniture will be the tenant’s responsibility. If there is anything that is too large to move, Principles Property will call a mover to help with the transfer. All costs will be born by the tenant.
3Q: The furniture or appliance that came with the flat has broken.
A: Please contact the owner or take a picture of the damage and have them replace or fix it.
Back To Top
Other Interior Problems
Walls:
1Q: I would like to hang a picture on the wall.
A: Pictures can be hung on walls as long as they are within limit. If a drill is necessary, permission should be granted by your owner.
2Q: There is a stain on the wall from water leaking.
A: There could be a broken water pipe, so please contact your owner for immediate repair.
3Q: There is mold growing on the wall.
A: Please call the owner or the management company to report the findings for their investigation and repair action.
4Q: There is a large crack along the wall.
A: Please call the owner to report it. If it is a crack that seems to be growing, there is a need to repair it as soon as possible.
Floors:
1Q Floor board are not even or notice some space between.
A: Very common problem due to high humidity climate and also due to lower grade of skills in laying flooring by contractors. Contact landlord for repair.
Back To Top
Keys
1Q: I locked myself out.
A: Management personnel in the building can usually assist you with calling a key company to send someone to open the door for you. You can typically make duplicates for less than $30. Depending on the type of the lock, this can cost from $500 upwards.
2Q: Locked out of the bedroom.
A: Contact the management company to call a key maker. Keys should be kept in the safe place. 3Q: For safety reasons, I would like to put one more lock on the front door.
A: Please get permission from your owner before making any changes.
Back To Top
Mold and Pests
1Q: What do I do to avoid molding?
A: It is important to air the room out as much as possible. If the room has 2 windows, open both so that one is used as a inflow, and the other the outflow. In this way, air is circulated throughout the room. A dehumidifier helps keep the room dry.
2Q: What do I do with the mold in the bathroom?
A: Moisture in the bathroom remains, dampening the walls where bacteria can very easily stick to and grow. To stop this from happening, wiping the walls or cleaning it once a week with bleach solution will help to cut the spread. Cleaning the cabinets or the shelves in the bathroom with bleach will also help to cut the spread of bacteria. Open the windows to circulate air.
3Q: There is a pest problem.
A: If you have pests growing around the sink, please use bleach to kill and wash away. You can also call pest control to have technicians spray your house once a year for termites, cockroach or other pests.
Back To Top
Noise Complaints
The majority of residents live in multi-story apartment buildings, and the likelihood of hearing noise coming from other apartments is high. If the noise coming from your neighbor is unbearable, please follow the step below. Call the management office to place a complaint.
- Have the management staff witness the noise in your apartment and submit an official claim.
- Write a complaint letter to the resident who is the cause of the noise.
- If the noise continues past 11pm., the police should be contacted.
- You can also have your owner submit a claim.
- If your children are running around and causing noise, please put a rug on the floor.
- If furniture is being dragged, such as the dinging chairs and causes noise, please put padding under the legs to prevent scratching also.
- Carpets can prevent much noise from traveling to the neighbor below. Choose a carpet that has noise absorbers as part of the material.
Back To Top
Pets
1Q: I would like to buy a pet.
A: Majority of flats prohibit ownership of pets. There is a declaration in the ‘Deed of Mutual Covenant?which should be found in the flat when moving in. If you are not sure, please contact the management company for further details. If the premises allows ownership, there is a quote in the ‘Deed of Covenant?that states the following: Owners may keep live poultry, birds or animals in a Residential Unit as pets unless the same has been the cause of reasonable complaint by at least 2 other owners or occupiers of any part of the estate. In some cases, although the estate may allow the ownership of pets, the owner of the apartment may not. Please confirm the status with your landlord.
2Q: The neighbor’s dog barks very loud.
A: please contact the management office and report the claim to the owner of the pet.
Postal Delivery
Previous tenants may have left without a forwarding address, or your landlords mail may be delivered to your address. Please forward to your landlord if this is the case, or please bring it to Principles Property and we will deliver it to your landlord. If you receive mail for the previous tenants, you may either stamp it moved and return it into a mailbox for outgoing mail in your apartment complex, or in any mailboxes found in the city.
Back To Top
Handling Trash:
1Q: Where do you leave the trash?
A: In almost all apartment buildings, trash can be left out any time during the day. The emergency exits usually have buckets to deposit raw refuse or there is a refuse room that is accessed with a key. Please ensure you have a key from your landlord.
2Q: Is it necessary to separate the trash?
A: In the newer complexes, waste disposal can be divided into paper, aluminum and plastic. Separating the trash would be ideal, but is not established in all parts of Hong Kong. If your apartment complex does not separate trash, it is ok to combine.
3Q: What do I do with large trash?
A: If it is too large to carry out to the trash collection area, please hire a mover to carry it out for you. You will be responsible for paying for the removal. If the item can be resold, call a second hand store to arrange for the removal. The web site information will be given in the following page.
Insurance:
1Q: Is it better to have insurance?
A: It is advisable. There are many instances where water leakage claims can amount to a large sums and is the responsibility of the tenant. If residential insurance is available through your company, please consider signing up. Principles Property also has several companies to recommend, so if you have any questions, please give us a call.
Back To Top
Contract Agreement
Early Termination:
The minimum tenancy agreement is 2 years, but during this time, some people choose to break their contract. There are some instances where this will be allowed and others where this will not, so please check with your landlord or contact Principles Property for further assistance. In cases where termination is granted, please write a termination letter with an explanation for the act.
Back To Top
Renewing your Contract
When your contract renewal date approaches, please contact your landlord to negotiate a new contract. During your tenancy, it is likely that the market has changed, making this a very crucial time for your landlord or for you to renegotiate rental prices. Principles Property will assist in all negotiations and documentations if needed with the added charge of 25% of your one month rent.
Back To Top
CONTACT PRINCIPLES PROPERTY AGENCY LTD
Principles Property Agency Ltd.
Licence No. C-005420
1B Lippo Leighton Tower
103 Leighton Road
Causeway Bay
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2882 8115
Fax:(852) 2882 1125
Email: info@principlesproperty.com