The Housing Authority will waive half-month rents in January and February for commercial units, excluding supermarkets and banks, to help alleviate financial difficulties faced by tenants, particularly small and medium sized shops.

Chairman of the authority's Commercial Properties Committee Liu Sing-cheong said the majority of members agreed to take immediate action to help tenants weather the financial turmoil at its meeting today. He said 2,400 commercial tenants and 3,600 industrial tenants will benefit from the move, which will cost more than $30 million.

Tenants with The Link are not included.

The committee also approved a proposal to maintain charges for its 27,400 parking spaces at 112 non-divested car parks at existing levels. The freeze will apply to both monthly and hourly charges for cars, motorcycles and vans in all regions from January 1.

The full time monthly charges for private cars will be maintained at the current level ranging from $750 to $1,940 depending on the region. The current rates of $2,210 for covered spaces and $1,710 for open spaces for vans, and $270 for covered spaces and $220 for open spaces for motorcycles, will also be maintained.

Some discount schemes will continue to apply. Click here for details.