We handle conveyancing, lease negotiations, title searches, and litigation for residential and commercial property across Hong Kong. Our office sits in Wan Chai, close to the Land Registry and the courts you may need.
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Clear Estate Legal focuses exclusively on real-estate law. We do not take personal-injury cases or draft wills. That single focus lets us keep current with every amendment to the Conveyancing and Property Ordinance, every Lands Tribunal ruling, and every shift in stamp-duty policy that could affect your purchase or lease.
The firm was established by solicitors who spent years inside larger practices watching property matters get delegated to junior associates. We thought buyers and landlords deserved direct access to lawyers who actually specialise in their problem.
Today our team of six solicitors and two paralegals handles roughly 300 transactions a year, from first-sale flats in new developments to multi-storey industrial conversions. Each client gets a named solicitor, a direct phone line, and a written timeline at the start of the engagement.
Six practice areas, all under the real-estate umbrella. If your matter falls outside these, we will refer you to a trusted colleague rather than improvise.
We prepare and review the provisional agreement, formal agreement, assignment, and mortgage deed for purchases and sales of flats, houses, and village houses. Typical turnaround from instruction to completion is eight to ten weeks, depending on the developer or vendor.
Drafting and negotiating tenancy agreements for office, retail, and industrial spaces. We pay close attention to rent-review clauses, reinstatement obligations, and break options. Most commercial leases in Hong Kong are three years; we make sure the renewal terms protect you if market rents swing.
Before you commit to a purchase, we run a full title search at the Land Registry, check for encumbrances, government leases, building orders, and outstanding litigation. A clear title report takes three to five working days.
Rent arrears, illegal alterations, breach of user clause: we represent landlords and tenants before the Lands Tribunal and the District Court. Where possible, we pursue mediation first because tribunal hearings can take six months or longer to schedule.
Hong Kong imposes ad valorem duty, buyer stamp duty, and special stamp duty depending on residency status, the number of properties you already own, and how long you hold. We calculate your exact liability before you sign and advise on lawful structuring options.
Joint-venture agreements, land-premium negotiations, deed-of-mutual-covenant drafting, and sub-sale arrangements for developers building new residential or mixed-use projects. We coordinate with planning consultants and surveyors to keep the legal workstream on schedule.
Four steps from first call to file closure. No hidden stages.
A 20-minute phone or video call at no charge. You describe the property, the transaction type, and any deadlines. We tell you whether we can help and give a fee estimate on the spot.
We send a written scope of work, a fixed or capped fee, and a timeline. You sign electronically and pay the first instalment. Work begins the same day in most cases.
Your solicitor handles searches, drafts documents, negotiates with the other side, and keeps you updated by email at least twice a week. You can call any weekday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
On completion day we attend to registration at the Land Registry, release funds through our client account, and deliver your original documents by courier or in person. The file stays accessible for twelve months after closure.
For a straightforward residential purchase below HKD 10 million, our fixed fee is typically between HKD 8,000 and HKD 15,000 plus disbursements (Land Registry fees, search fees, courier charges). Transactions involving mortgages, sub-sales, or uncompleted properties cost more because they require additional documentation. We quote a precise figure before you commit.
Legally, no. Practically, yes. Standard-form agreements from estate agents often omit break clauses, cap reinstatement costs poorly, or leave the rent-review mechanism vague. A solicitor review takes one to two days and can save months of argument later. For commercial leases above HKD 50,000 per month, professional review is especially important because the sums at stake on reinstatement alone can exceed a full year of rent.
From signing the provisional agreement to completion, the standard period is 45 to 60 working days for a secondary-market flat. First-sale purchases from developers follow the developer's completion schedule, which can be 12 to 18 months. We set internal milestones for title search, mortgage offer, and document execution so nothing drifts.
Yes, but non-permanent residents face Buyer Stamp Duty at 15 percent of the purchase price on top of normal ad valorem duty. We advise on whether any exemptions apply and handle the stamping process with the Inland Revenue Department.
If a vendor fails to complete, the purchaser can forfeit the deposit and sue for damages or seek specific performance (a court order forcing the sale). If a purchaser defaults, the vendor keeps the deposit. We assess the merits quickly and recommend the most cost-effective remedy based on the amount in dispute.
Call us for a free 20-minute assessment of your matter. If we can help, we will send a fee quote within one working day.
Phone
+852 3526 8942
Email
[email protected]
Address
18 Hennessy Road, Suite 1204, Wan Chai, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong