Job Discussion Forums

curiousW · Joined: 27 Jun 2003 Posts: 16

Hi all,

I'm a new teacher to HK and am looking for a decent furnished apartment. I haven't decided on an area but nothing too far out. Can anyone suggest how to go about this while avoiding the agents and their commission?

Thanks for your help!

W

dandan · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 183 Location: Hong Kong

Not too far out from where?

If you don't want to use an agent I guess you'll have to look in the South China Morning Post newspaper etc. but bear in mind that if you go this route you'll only have access to a small percentage of the available flats and mostly over-priced expat places so you'll likely end up paying much more in increased rent than you'll save on agent's fees. If you can read Chinese or have a friend who can you can obviously look in the local press.

Personally I'd reccomend finding a good agent and paying him for his service, he's just a guy trying to earn a living by providing a service just like you. Or are you going to work for free so that your students can avoid paying teacher's fees? Smile

Personally, unless you're only staying for a couple of months, I'd get an unfurnished place and buy some furniture, it's likely to work out cheaper in the long run than the increased rent you'd normally pay on a furnished place.

Just my suggestions.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

There are so-called SERVICED APARTMENTS, it's like you were renting hotel suites, with the advantage that you can lease them for short periods or long-term, and the rates are somewhat reasonable.
Some of themn advertise in the SCMP.
In the past, some NET's were using such facilities, and their opinions in general were rather favourable!

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

Both Roger and Dandan make good points. If you really don't want to go to the hastle of furnishing, then a serviced appartment can be ok. But they tend to be small, at least at affordable rates, and the cooking facilities can be somewhat basic. Through an agent you will have a lot of choice, and when we have used them before they have negotiatied the rent down for us quite substantially. But I would say that taking a Chinese friend along is a must. This will at least give you some idea of what the rent negotiations are about! Getting furniture from the trading post in the SCMP can be cheap and if you hire a fan to pick it up all at the same time no so bad on the delivery aspect. You can also negotiate the commision with the agent.