HK Govn't Depts - Totally Dis-integrated !!

I'm considering to buy a flat. So I had done search on Land Registry for all the historical data on this unit as well as getting docs from the Building Authority to check on any legal structure in the unit etc.


When I asked the officer at the Land Registry whether I'd be able to find out from the docs if this flat is clear of any law suit / prosecution / tickets etc from any govn't depts regarding to illegal structure / slope work etc., her response was "No, not necessary" ! She explained that should any govn't depts have filed a complaint / issued a warning or ticket / prosecuted a property owner (company) that these depts need to file a record with Land Registry so that any potential buyer can get such kind of info. However, current practice is that these govn't depts are not obliged to do so !! That means new property buyers could risk getting a flat with lots of unexpected costs or being requested to take apart any illegal structure which might have been paid for without knowing.


Any advice on how to find this kind of information or any input is most appreciated !

Thank you.

Your lawyer will sort it out. Don't worry.

Tks Doug ! Would I save a bit of lawyer's fee if I could find out the docs & records etc before the actual transition?


appreciate your feedback !

Talk to your estate agent. They can pull the information up on their computers. The Building Dept has records of citations, illegal structures, and other violations. The Land Registry will show the chain of title, DMC, mortgages and charges against the property. However, you may not be able to make sense of these and your solicitors will have to evaluate them. Good luck.

tks Trademark Maven.

My estate agent seems to be only giving me good news ... as usual ... just that he only gave me the doc fr the land dept which i did pull out myself and he had exergerated the size of the unit & terrace big time. that's why i was doing search on my own. found out there's indeed illegal structure but just want to find out whether the owner got prosecuted / given a ticket, fine etc., the flat is well furnished and in a good location, so i'm still intersted in it but just don't want to have unexpected cost & have to demolish the illegal structure (kitchen & part of the terrace)


as an ordinary citizen, all these docs do look a bit alien to me !


small potato with a small job trying to have a home and not be ripped off !


tks for your advice = )