9 subdivided unit landlords face fines for non-compliance with ordinance

The government levied fines amounting to $24,800.

The government imposed fines totalling $24,800 on nine landlords of subdivided units for violation of the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance.

Offences of the landlords include failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the terms of the regulated tenancy commenced and failing to produce copies of the bills and provide an account in writing when requiring the tenant to pay for the reimbursement of the appoint water and/or electricity charges.

One of the landlords committed 11 offences and faced $8,800 in fines.

A spokesman for the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) reiterated that  SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the ordinance, and also reminded tenants of their rights. 

The RVD has been proactively identifying, investigating, and following up on cases concerning landlords suspected of violating the ordinance, and will continue to take enforcement action.

In particular, the department has been requiring landlords to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies to check whether the landlords have complied with the ordinance requirements.

Non-compliance may result in an offence punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and three months' imprisonment.

The RVD said the public should report any suspected violation through various channels. The department has also provided a form on its website to help SDU tenants report.

Since the ordinance took effect, the RVD has prosecuted 368 cases involving 319 SDU landlords, with fines ranging from $400 to $34,800, totalling $756,410.