Property Law – Revised Guidelines On Sales Brochures

Introduction

Prospective buyers of new apartment developments in Hong Kong are often misled by artists' impressions of grand clubhouses, photos of unobstructed sea views or lush greeneries appearing in sales brochures even though the development sites are actually located near public residential housing, landfill sites or sewage treatment plants. To protect prospective flat buyers, following criticisms on developers who often provide misleading information or photos on advertisements and brochures, the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong ("REDA") has on 7 October 2009 issued a new set of guidelines for sales descriptions and information in sales brochures and advertisements of uncompleted residential properties with effect from November 2009 ("Guidelines").