XN000022-1986-10-24 — Page 15

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1986

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LAND OFFICE REVISING FEES FOR SERVICES

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NEW FEES ARE BEING INTRODUCED FOR THE COMPUTERISED SERVICE TO BE ADOPTED IN THE LAND OFFICE FROM NOVEMBER 1.

THE OPPORTUNITY HAS ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO REVISE OTHER FEES CHARGED IN THE LAND OFFICE AND TO DELETE FEES FOR SERVICES NO LONGER PROVIDED.

FULL DETAILS OF THE LAND REGISTRATION FEES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS AND THE LAND REGISTRATION (NEW TERRITORIES) FEES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, WHICH WERE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EARLIER THIS MONTH AND WHICH ALSO COME INTO FORCE ON NOVEMBER 1, ARE AVAILABLE AT THE LAND OFFICE AT QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES.

ANY INCREASES ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL POLICY THAT FEES SHOULD RECOVER COSTS.

EXEMPTIONS MADE IN LAND SEARCH FEES

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AN INCREASED SEARCH FEE TO BE CHARGED BY THE LAND OFFICE FROM NOVEMBER 1 WILL NOT AFFECT FLAT OWNERS WHO APPROACH THE LAND OFFICE FOR DETAILS IN CONNECTION WITH FORMATION OF AN OWNERS' CORPORATION.

AMENDING REGULATIONS PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY). THEY ARE THE LAND REGISTRATION FEES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1986 AND THE LAND REGISTRATION (NEW TERRITORIES) FEES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 1986.

THE PRESENT $5 FEE FOR SEARCHING FOR PARTICULARS OF A PROPERTY IN THE URBAN AREA WILL BE REVISED TO $10 FROM NOVEMBER 1.

HOWEVER A CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SPOKESMAN SAID THAT LAND OFFICE SEARCH FEES IN CASES WHERE THE SEARCH WAS REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FORMATION OF OWNERS' CORPORATIONS WOULD BE WAIVED.

HE SAID THAT THE EXEMPTION WAS AN INDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT'S SUPPORT FOR FORMATION OF SUCH BODIES WITH THE AIM OF IMPROVING MANAGEMENT IN PRIVATE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS.

/THE SPOKESMAN