I want to purchase a second-hand property

Inspection and enquiries

A prospective purchaser should visit the site of the property in person to learn about its actual environment, in particular, the traffic conditions, and to find out whether there is any noise or air pollution problem.

Information about the areas surrounding the property such as:

• the Outline Zoning Plan (“OZP”) of those areas which shows the land uses and major road system proposed by the Town Planning Board;
• the public facilities nearby, for example, railway stations, public transport interchanges, schools, parks, public car parks, hospitals, waste collection points, cemeteries, etc.

To obtain more detailed information about the planning and development of a district, you may visit the Planning Department’s Planning Enquiry Counters and request for inspection of the OZP or the Development Permission Area Plans for the relevant district. You may also buy a copy of the OZP from the Lands Department for reference or visit the Statutory Planning Portal.

You should enquire if any financial contribution has to be made to the development’s facilities, for example, whether charges have to be paid for use.

You should carefully inspect the property. The following should also be noted:

• whether there is any person, other than the registered owner(s), residing in the property, and/or owning beneficial interest in the property;
• whether there are any additions or alterations to the structure of the property;
• whether the property is encroaching on any common area;
• whether furniture, electrical appliances and decoration are included in the sale of property; if this is the case, specify the items in the agreement for sale and purchase and inspect the furniture, electrical appliances and decoration carefully.
• pay particular attention to the ceiling, bay windows and walls to see if there is any water stain, and check if the flooring is loose to ascertain whether there have been water leakages.
• inspect electrical wiring, switches, water pipes, drains, bath-tubs, toilets and windows to see if they are working properly. If electrical wiring or water pipes are worn out, ask the vendor when they were last replaced or repaired.
• user restrictions in the Deed of Mutual Covenant (“DMC”)⁴ in relation to common areas and facilities, such as the clubhouse, external walls, lift lobbies, corridors, roofs and parking spaces of the building, etc.
• details on property management, including:
  • ownership of management rights;
  • management fees and criteria for determining the fees;
  • composition of the management organisation (e.g. the owners’ committee);
  • appointment, dismissal and remuneration of the property manager.
• whether pet raising is permitted in the building or the development.
• whether the property has undergone, or is about to undergo major repairs, and whether the owner is liable to contribute to the associated costs.