Subdivided flat tenants still overcharged: SoCO
The Society for Community Organisation (SoCO) on Sunday called on the government to do more to protect the rights of those living in subdivided flats.  The group made the call after a survey it conducted found that more than 30 percent of subdivided flat tenants had their rents increased over the past two years, while more than 60 percent claimed that their landlords had overcharged them for electricity.  A deputy director with SoCO, Sze Lai-shan, said the hefty charges are adding to the financial burden of the tenants. She said there’s a need for officials to better enforce the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance, which was introduced in January 2022 to restrict landlords from arbitrarily raising rents or overcharging for utilities. She also urged the authorities to introduce legislation to regulate the initial rent level and enhance supervision. “I think if they [the government] can have at least legislation regarding the initial rents, it’ll be helpful for the communities. Also, they can have more outreach teams to visit and check on those subdivided flats,” Sze said.  She said the government can also consider naming and shaming landlords who engage in malpractices.