XN000022-1994-04-11 — Page 2

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MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1994

CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT

ON DESCRIPTIONS OF FLATS ON SALE

TODAY

(MONDAY)

A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION ISSUED A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE WAYS TO CURB MISLEADING SALES DESCRIPTIONS OF UNCOMPLETED FLATS IN HONG KONG.

THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT CONTAINS THE SUB-COMMITTEE'S INTERIM RECOMMENDATIONS. THE SUB-COMMITTER IS SEEKING THE PUBLIC'S VIEWS ON

BEFORE FINALISING ITS PROPOSALS FOR THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION.

THESE

THE CONSULTATION PERIOD WILL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30.

CHATRED BY PROFESSOR DEREK ROEBUCK, DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF LAW OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, THE SUB-COMMITTEE INCLUDES AMONG ITS MEMBERS LAWYERS, ARCHITECTS AND OTHERS WITH RELEVANT EXPERTISE.

SINCE IT STARTED WORK IN DECEMBER 1992, IT HAS HELD 17

MEETINGS.

THE SUB-COMMITTEE HAS MADE MANY INTERIM RECOMMENDATIONS. MORE IMPORTANT ONES ARE:

THE

THE TERM GROSS FLOOR AREA IN SALES LITERATURE SHOULD BE STANDARDISED BY LEGISLATION. THE SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THE ADOPTION OF THE DEFINITION IN REGULATION 23(3) OF THE BUILDING (PLANNING) REGULATIONS (CAP. 123), WHICH IS USED BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IN APPROVING BUILDING PLANS ;

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THE INCLUSION OF SALEABLE AREAS IN SALES LITERATURE BE MADE MANDATORY BY LEGISLATION;

SHOULD

THE DEFINITION OF SALEABLE AREA PROMULGATED IN LEGAL ADVISORY AND CONVEYANCING OFFICE CIRCULAR MEMORANDUM NO. 1 DATED JUNE 23. 1993 SHOULD BE RECOGNISED IN LEGISLATION AS THE STANDARD METHOD TO DESCRIBE SALEABLE AREA IN ALL SALES LITERATURE;

THE SALES BROCHURE SHOULD CONTAIN FLOOR PLANS WITH SPECIFIED DETAILS SUCH AS DIMENSIONS OF INDIVIDUAL UNITS, THE ORIENTATION, INGRESS AND PGRESS POINTS, LOAD BEARING WALLS, EXPOSED PIPES;

THERE SHOULD BE A LIST OF SPECIFIED FITTINGS AND FINISHES IN ALL SALES BROCHURES. THE BRANDS AND COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN OF THE FITTINGS AND FINISHES SHOULD ALSO BE STATED;

THE SALES BROCHURE SHOULD STATE THE SALIENT POINTS OF THE DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT SUCH AS THE DEFINITIONS OF COMMON PARTS, APPORTIONMENT OF MANAGEMENT CHARGES, RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF COMMON PARTS, NAME OF FIRST MANAGER;

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