Working with a real estate lawyer in Hong Kong is common when buying and selling property in the Special Administrative Region. Foreign investors looking to open a company in Hong Kong require a registered address for their business and our lawyers in Hong Kong can act on their behalf for the duration of any real estate-related transactions that serve commercial or residential purposes.
Table of Contents
Services offered by our real estate lawyer in Hong Kong
Our team of real estate lawyers in Hong Kong has good knowledge of the applicable laws and regulations as well as their subsequent changes and additions and of the local real estate industry sector, one that is dynamic. We can help you with all matters related to sale and purchase of properties/landed property, mortgage tenancy, building management, leasing transactions, real estate disputes, real estate investment funds and trusts and many more.
We assist clients throughout the property purchase phases. For our clients who wish to maximize their real estate investment value, our lawyers also provide asset management solutions (such as strategic asset optimization, property development issues, long-term real estate management strategies, etc.)
Below, the experts at our law firm in Hong Kong list some of the key areas in which our expertise is useful to our clients:
- Property purchase: Our team assists buyers throughout the sale/purchase cycle. We tailor our service to suit the needs of our clients (whether they are natural or legal persons) and the particularities of the transaction. At each stage of the purchase process, and later on, as required, we adapt and counsel our clients, focused on their goals and the purpose of the real estate transaction. We work with a wide range of clients, whether for private individuals, investment companies, construction firms, real estate investment trusts, or others;
- Property due diligence: The real estate due diligence process will target key information about the building you wish to purchase. The process can be performed for commercial real estate as well as for residential real estate, paying attention to the particularities of the space and the differences that exist between these two types of real estate. The due diligence report will offer you information about the financial records, loans and leases on the property, as well as provide additional details about the technical state of the premises and whether or not they meet the environmental and safety requirements.
- The division of property: We can also give you information about the treatment of purchased property in case of divorce in Hong Kong;
- Real estate disputes: Our real estate litigation lawyers can help you with disputes concerning real property rights, development disputes, high-value residential disputes, and also those that concern disputes between the landlord and the tenant or those related to professional negligence in real estate construction.
- Matters concerning the future use of the building: If you are looking to purchase real estate and then lease the space to companies or individuals, our lawyers can provide ongoing assistance for the phases that follow once the sale is final. We can help draw up tenancy agreements with companies or individuals, as well as provide legal counsel in a number of issues that are important when doing business in Hong Kong.
The experts at our real estate law firm in HK can also provide additional real estate due diligence services and help you obtain any additional licenses and permits as well as deal with any legal issues or disputes that may arise during the purchase of the property.
The property purchase process explained by our Hong Kong lawyers
Foreigners are allowed to purchase land and property in Hong Kong. However, land owners are only given Government Leases for the areas purchased, as all land in the city is owned by the state. The buyer and the seller will need to conclude a provisional agreement and after all the details of the transaction have been agreed upon, sign a final sale/purchase agreement (the Formal Agreement).
Below, our real estate lawyer in Hong Kong highlights the main issues to take into consideration when looking to purchase a domestic property:
- The research phase: it is not mandatory to be present in Hong Kong during the entire property purchase phase, however, you will want to schedule a viewing of the chosen place before moving on to the next step;
- Viewing: the actual viewing of the property is a very important step and one that will allow you to enter the first phase of the due diligence process;
- The documents: one needs to check the title and the encumbrances against the property; this too is included in the due diligence package provided by our real estate law firm in Hong Kong;
- Sign the provisional agreement: as previously mentioned, this is the first form of the sale/purchase agreement that is signed between the buyer and the seller;
- The taxes: the sale of residential property in Hong Kong is subject to stamp duty; our lawyers can offer you more details.
Individuals who purchase real estate in Hong Kong will usually work with a broker or real estate agent who will oversee the entire process.
The real estate sector in Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s property market is a dynamic one, with a strong evolution recorded in recent years. A report issued by the Rating and Valuation Department notes that the rental market outperformed the sales market in 2024. However, data for 2025 indicate that the property market continues to recover, 2025 being the fourth consecutive year in which it recorded significant growth.
Our attorneys in Hong Kong summarise a set of key findings from the Hong Kong Property Review 2025, issued by the aforementioned Government department:
- 24,261 private domestic units were completed in 2024, most of these being small or medium ones. This is a 75% increase, compared to the number of housing units completed in 2023;
- Overall office prices dropped in 2024 (by approximately 22.6% between Q4 2023 and Q4 2024);
- The forecasted office space completions for 2025 stood at 308,500 sqm new office space, with Grade A office completions estimated at 288,600 sqm;
- A rebound in completions in commercial real estate space is expected, and for 2026, the expected build space was projected at 62,000 sqm.
As far as average rent by class is concerned, the Rating and Valuation Department states that at the beginning of 2026, a Class A private domestic space would rent for 517 $ / m per month in Hong Kong and 449 $ / m per month in Kowloon. Private offices in Causeway Bat would rent for 626 $ / m per month (Grade A offices).
If you are interested in acquiring real estate in Hong Kong you can contact our real estate lawyer in Hong Kong. Our consultants will be able to assist you throughout the entire purchase procedure and offer you legal advice whenever needed.