The Housing Authority today announced that it will pass on the rates concession for the first quarter of 2024-25 to its domestic and non-domestic tenants starting from April.

The measure was set out in this year’s Budget.

A maximum amount of $590 million will be passed on to domestic tenants, while non-domestic tenants and licensees will receive a maximum of $8.4 million.

The authority said domestic tenants' rates from April 1 to June 30 will be waived on a monthly basis subject to a cap of $1,000. For tenancies that do not cover the entire month, the transfer of the rates concession will be made on a pro-rata basis.

The rates concession passing-on arrangement will apply to interim housing licensees as well.

In addition, the rates concession for the authority’s non-domestic properties will be passed on to non-domestic tenants or licensees, subject to a ceiling of $1,000 for each property, excluding car parks.

For the authority's 18 single-operator markets of Ching Long, Choi Fook, Chun Yeung, Hoi Tat, Hung Fuk, Kwai Chung, Lei Muk Shue, Mun Tung, On Tai, Pak Tin, Queens Hill, Shek Mun, Shui Chuen O, Tin Yan, Yan Tin, Ying Tung, Kai Chuen and Ping Yan, the operators will pass on the rates concession to their licensees in full.