Rating Services

The Rating & Valuation Department will carry out General Revaluation of all properties in Hong Kong every year to update the rental level of the properties as at a particular date of valuation and conduct Interim Rateable Value assessments of new tenements for rates and government rent collection purposes. In addition, the Collector of Stamp Revenue may require the valuation opinion of Rating & Valuation Department on various property transactions if they are considered adequate and reasonable.

Due to the different nature of properties as at different dates of valuation, there are from time to time over-assessments by Rating & Valuation Department which could not reflect the reasonable and fair market levels. Ratepayers or taxpayers have the right to lodge formal objections and apply for review of assessments pursuant to the relevant ordinances and regulations.

Our experience covers the following assignments:

• Rating objections of various types of properties for annual General Revaluation exercise
• Rating objections of new tenements under Interim Valuations
• Stamp duty assessments and negotiations
• Rating objections of special properties including advertising signboards, petrol stations, golf courses, clubhouses, railway operation systems and the like

The Government and some public organizations have over the decade acquired and resumed large tract of agricultural land holdings in the New Territories and numerous pre-war and/or early post-war buildings in the urban area for implementation of public projects such as construction of railways, road widening, drainage improvements and implementation of urban improvement schemes under the Lands Resumption Ordinance, Railways Ordinance and Roads (Works, Use and Compensation) Ordinance. The interests of the landowners/business operators will inevitably be affected by the resumption schemes and may always not be fairly treated and reasonably compensated by the Government.

Any persons who have a compensatable interest on the land resumed may submit a written claim to the Government before the expiration of one year from the date of resumption. As the procedure and process of handling a compensation claim pursuant to the relevant ordinances and Government policy is a highly complicated work with lengthy negotiations, professional surveyors who possess in-depth and specialist experience in statutory valuation works are required to assist the affected parties, especially for those operators suffering from business loss as a result of the resumption.

In the event that an agreement as to the amount of compensation cannot be reached between the claimants and the Government, either party may refer the case to the Lands Tribunal for determination of the amount of compensation. Our professional surveyors are competent and sophisticated to act as expert witness in this litigation process.

Lease Modification

Nearly all private land in Hong Kong are leasehold properties and held under Government leases for various lease terms. The land use and development of the site are generally controlled by the Government leases, Building (Planning) Regulations and Town Planning Ordinances. Owing to the scarcity of land supply and resources in Hong Kong, it is of great importance to manage and develop such land resources in a most efficient and cost-effective manner. Due to the changing needs and conditions of the property market and economic sentiment, the outdated or obsolete provisions or clauses as stipulated in the Government leases need to be removed and altered in order to maximize the development potential of the land. Our professional team has sound experience and knowledge to provide valuable advice and handle such alterations by way of lease modification or surrender and regrant subject to payment of a premium to the Government depending on the nature and extent of each individual case.

Section 16 Planning Applications
 
The Town Planning Ordinance sets out the statutory framework for planning and development in Hong Kong. Any alterations to the restrictions on the land use on site should be made and subject to the approval of the Town Planning Board. To cope with the need of various end-users and operators, our professional team is well-equipped in preparing and coordinating the submission of section 16 planning applications for various temporary open storage and car park sites, change of use within a residential/commercial/industrial development and hotel uses, etc.

Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) / Private Sector Participation Scheme (PSPS) Premium Assessments

Flats sold under the HOS/PSPS schemes are subject to alienation restrictions pursuant to the Housing Ordinance. Owners must make payment of a premium to the Government for removal of the alienation restrictions before they can sell or dispose of the flats in the open market. Calculation of premium may be a rather complicated and difficult task for the layman owners. Our professional team possesses profound knowledge and experience on housing matters and premium assessments and would provide valuable advice and conduct review if the assessments made by the Government are reasonable.

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