· 20 -
"However, the most convenient payment method is autopay," he said.
Applications for autopay are obtainable from Treasury Collection Offices, District Offices and all major banks in Hong Kong or by telephoning 829 4999.
For additional information regarding the Payment by Phone Service, please call 170 222 329.
The spokesman advised Crown rent payers to note the following points:
To avoid legal action for re-entry of a property, the owner for the time being of that property is obliged to pay Crown rent including any arrears as demanded;
The Crown rent payable under a lease of a property which has been renewed under the Crown Leases Ordinance and re-developed, will be 3 per cent of the rateable value of that property as assessed following the redevelopment. Pending completion of the assessment and other related procedures, Crown rent demands will be based upon the pre-redevelopment rateable value. In due course, Crown rent for the difference between the rent based upon pre- and post- redevelopment rateable values will be demanded and the owner for the time being is obliged to pay the rent as demanded. If he does not, legal action for re-entry of the property may be instituted.
He advised property buyers to instruct their solicitors to ensure that at the time of purchase the Crown rent was paid up to date.
If a property is subject to the Crown Leases Ordinance and has been re- developed but the rental paid up to the date of the purchase is not based upon an assessment of the rateable value of the property since its redevelopment, appropriate steps should be taken by the purchaser or his solicitors to protect the purchaser, he said.
Enquiries on outstanding accounts in respect of Crown rent may be addressed to the Director of Accounting Services. The fee is $55 for each enquiry per property.
end/Friday, December 2, 1994