Q4. Is there a standard way to determine the portion of the utility fee to be shared by a household in a sub-divided unit?

Q4. Is there a standard way to determine the portion of the utility fee to be shared by a household in a sub-divided unit?

Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) has not stipulated any standard way to determine the portion of the utility fee to be shared by a tenant in a sub-divided unit.

Provided that there is no conflict with the relevant legislation, before entering into a tenancy, the landlord and tenant may discuss and agree on an acceptable method of apportionment, including the level of and basis for calculating rents and other charges (e.g. water and electricity charges).  Once the tenancy agreement is entered into, both parties are required to abide by the relevant terms and conditions. As for charges outside the scope of the written tenancy agreement, landlords and tenants should discuss and negotiate an arrangement based on any previous agreement, including oral agreement. Tenants may make use of the Rating and Valuation Department's free advisory service on tenancy matters.