Hung Fuk Court Owner Threatens to Void Acquisition Deal Over Power of Attorney Dispute
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago6 MIN
Summary
A resident of Hung Fuk Court (宏福苑) in Tai Hang is fighting the Housing Bureau over rigid paperwork requirements that threaten to derail his family's acquisition deal. Wang Xiansheng (王先生) holds a power of attorney from his elderly parents, who are currently in New Zealand recovering from eye surgery and unable to fly. While the government demands the original power of attorney be surrendered as part of the acquisition, Wang needs it to pursue compensation claims and potential future refunds. The bureau has also rejected using the document to process a flat transfer under the Special Sale Scheme, warning the family may void the agreement.
Key Points
- The flat's legal owners, Wang's parents, are in New Zealand undergoing ophthalmological surgery and face post-operative flight restrictions due to air pressure changes and wound healing concerns
- The parents signed a comprehensive power of attorney before departing Hong Kong, via a lawyer appointed by the Legal Aid Department, authorizing Wang to handle acquisition, transfer, and all related matters
- The Housing Bureau states that upon signing the formal Sale and Purchase Agreement, the power of attorney becomes part of the title documents and must be surrendered to the government
- The Independent Review Committee investigating Hung Fuk Court is expected to release its findings by the end of October 2026, after which Wang intends to seek compensation from responsible parties
- A five-person unit under the Special Sale Scheme is estimated to cost approximately HK$4 million, but the parents are retired with no income, complicating mortgage applications if the flat remains in their names
Why It Matters
The dispute exposes a fundamental tension between the Housing Bureau's standard acquisition procedures and exceptional circumstances where property owners are overseas or incapacitated. With the independent review committee nearing its report, the family faces a narrow window to preserve their legal standing for potential compensation claims, while the broader question of whether government housing acquisition rules can accommodate genuine hardship cases remains unresolved .
The dispute exposes a fundamental tension between the Housing Bureau's standard acquisition procedures and exceptional circumstances where property owners are overseas or incapacitated. With the independent review committee nearing its report, the family faces a narrow window to preserve their legal standing for potential compensation claims, while the broader question of whether government housing acquisition rules can accommodate genuine hardship cases remains unresolved .