Question 1

How much stamp duty for renting in Hong Kong?

Accepted Answer

Tenancy stamp duty is 0.25% of the average annual rent multiplied by the number of years (or part thereof) of the lease. For a HK$20,000/month flat on a 2-year lease, that's 0.25% × HK$240,000 × 2 = HK$1,200, split equally — HK$600 each for landlord and tenant. A rent-free period reduces the average rent used in the calculation.

Question 2

What is 生約 (live lease) and 死約 (fixed lease)?

Accepted Answer

死約 (fixed lease) means neither party can terminate early — the tenant must pay rent for the full term. 生約 (break clause) allows one or both parties to terminate after a fixed period with notice (typically 2 months). Most HK tenancies are structured as 2-year 死約 or 2-year with a 1-year 生約. The break clause date affects how your total stamp duty is calculated.

Question 3

Is Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) still applicable?

Accepted Answer

No. BSD was abolished on 28 February 2024. Before that date, non-Hong Kong permanent residents and companies buying residential property paid an extra 15% BSD on top of ad valorem duty. Now all buyers — regardless of residency — pay the same Scale 2 ad valorem rates, ranging from HK$100 to 4.25% depending on the property price.

Question 4

When was stamp duty simplified in Hong Kong?

Accepted Answer

Hong Kong progressively introduced cooling measures from 2010 to 2013, including SSD (2010), BSD (2012), and doubled ad valorem duty (2013). These were partially relaxed in 2023 and fully abolished on 28 February 2024 — Hong Kong's most significant property policy reversal in over a decade. The market has since returned to a single, lower Scale 2 ad valorem structure.

Question 5

What is the deadline for stamping a tenancy agreement?

Accepted Answer

Tenancy agreements must be stamped within 30 days of execution. Late stamping attracts a penalty of 2× the original duty (if stamped within 1 month late) up to 10× for longer delays. Stamp duty can be paid online via the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) eTax portal.

Hong Kong Stamp Duty Calculator

Stamp Duty in Hong Kong — 2024 Update

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