Tuen Mun 3-Bed Flat Illegally Subdivided Into 5 Rooms, Tenant Alleges
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A tenant in Tuen Mun has exposed how a landlord subdivided a 568 sq ft three-bedroom private flat into five separate rooms, eliminating the living room entirely. The landlord reportedly demanded tenants clear their belongings from the communal space and warned of rent increases if they refused consent. Legal experts warn such unauthorized modifications may violate the deed of mutual covenant and breach mortgage insurance conditions.
Key Points
- The 568 sq ft three-bedroom unit in Tuen Mun was already subdivided into four rooms before the landlord proposed adding a fifth room in September 2026
- The existing fourth room occupies the entire living room space with no windows and no independent ventilation, relying solely on the air conditioner
- The landlord demanded tenants remove belongings from the communal area, claiming rising costs including management fees, rates, and mortgage insurance premiums
- The tenant calculates that renting the new fifth room at HK$5,000 monthly could generate total rental income of HK$23,700 per month
- Building management confirmed the renovation application only declared "door installation" despite the substantial structural changes
- No independent water or electricity meters exist; utility bills are divided equally among four tenants regardless of actual consumption
- Senior building inspection engineer Lai Tat-ming noted that the Simple Housing Ordinance, effective March 1, 2026, requires independent meters, proper ventilation with minimum 0.1 sqm windows, and fire safety equipment
- Practising barrister Luk Wai-hung warned that owners with high-ratio mortgages may face legal consequences for violating self-occupation requirements
Why It Matters
This case illustrates a growing trend of subdividing private housing estates in Hong Kong, potentially displacing legitimate tenants and creating fire safety hazards. With the 48-month transition period under the Simple Housing Ordinance, authorities face pressure to enforce standards before non-compliant subdivisions become entrenched in the market .
This case illustrates a growing trend of subdividing private housing estates in Hong Kong, potentially displacing legitimate tenants and creating fire safety hazards. With the 48-month transition period under the Simple Housing Ordinance, authorities face pressure to enforce standards before non-compliant subdivisions become entrenched in the market .