Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

It is an offence under the Ordinance if a person makes a fraudulent misrepresentation or a reckless misrepresentation for the purpose of inducing another person to purchase first-hand residential properties. Also, a person who disseminates or authorises to disseminate information that is likely to induce another person to purchase first-hand residential properties and if he knows that, or is reckless as to whether, the information is false or misleading as to a material fact, commits an offence under the law.

Contravention of the requirements set out in the Ordinance may attract criminal liabilities, the maximum penalty of which is up to a fine of $5 million and imprisonment of 7 years.

The SRPA will NOT help purchasers take civil actions against vendors, as it is not appropriate for the SRPA to do so.

If the SRPA receives a complaint regarding the sales activities relating to a first-hand residential development situated in Hong Kong but the sales activities are conducted outside Hong Kong, the SRPA will look into the matter and take appropriate follow-up action to consider if there is any contravention of the provisions of the Ordinance.

The SRPA would like to advise prospective purchasers of first-hand residential properties situated in Hong Kong that they have to be very careful when they purchase a Hong Kong residential property solely on the basis of the sales materials they receive in the sales activities conducted outside Hong Kong. In any event, they should study the sales brochure, price list and other sales documents made available by the vendor of the development in Hong Kong and should visit the development site to get to know the surroundings of the property.