Land Registry releases statistics for December 2024
The Land Registry today (January 3) released its statistics for December 2024.
Land registration
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* The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in December was 5 510 (-28.3 per cent compared with November 2024 but +46.4 per cent compared with December 2023)
* The 12-month moving average for December was 5 665 (2.6 per cent above the 12-month moving average for November 2024 and 17.1 per cent above that for December 2023)
* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements of building units in December was $42.8 billion (-33.3 per cent compared with November 2024 but +27.4 per cent compared with December 2023)
* Among the sale and purchase agreements, 4 103 were for residential units (-34.9 per cent compared with November 2024 but +40.1 per cent compared with December 2023)
* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in respect of residential units was $32.6 billion (-43.1 per cent compared with November 2024 but +33.9 per cent compared with December 2023)
Statistics on sales of residential units do not include sale and purchase agreements relating to sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme, the Tenants Purchase Scheme, etc, unless the premium of the unit concerned has been paid after the sale restriction period.
Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months, the year-on-year rate of change and breakdown figures on residential sales have also been released.
As deeds may not be lodged with the Land Registry until up to 30 days after the transaction, these statistics generally relate to land transactions in the previous month.
Land search
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* The number of searches of land registers made by the public in December was 326 943 (-14.5 per cent compared with November 2024 but +11.5 per cent compared with December 2023)
The statistics cover searches made at the counter, through the self-service terminals and via the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services.
Hong Kong Customs detects case involving possession of suspected "space oil drug" and suspected illicit cigarettes by incoming passenger at West Kowloon Station of XRL
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 4) detected one case involving possession of etomidate (the main ingredient of "space oil drug"), a kind of Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations, and violation of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance by an incoming passenger at the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL). A total of one bottle of suspected "space oil drug" liquid and 189 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized.
A 27-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong via the West Kowloon Station of the XRL yesterday. During customs clearance, one bottle of suspected "space oil drug" and 189 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were found in his travel bag. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of possession of Part 1 Poison, one count of "possession of goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance applies" and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service. The case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 6).
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking or illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects case involving possession of suspected "space oil drug" and suspected illicit cigarettes by incoming passenger at West Kowloon Station of XRL Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects case involving possession of suspected "space oil drug" and suspected illicit cigarettes by incoming passenger at West Kowloon Station of XRL Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
