November 2018This guide is only for general information, it should not be considered as a legal document since it has no legal effect.

Lands Department地政總署

Enquiry Hotline 2231 3392

Email vrs-cu@landsd.gov.hk

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BackgroundThe Development Bureau announced on 10 May 2018 proposed enhancements to the ex-gratia compensation and rehousing (C&R) arrangements for the Government’s development clearance exercises1 (hereinafter referred to as “the new arrangements”). The new arrangements were approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on 18 July 2018 and their eligibility criteria have been incorporated in the booklet “General Ex-gratia Compensation Arrangements for Owners, Tenants and Occupants and Rehousing Arrangements for Occupants of Squatter Structures affected by Land Resumption and Government Development Clearance Exercises”, which is available on the website of the Lands Department (LandsD) www.landsd.gov.hk/en/rehouse/rehousing.htm.

To complement the new arrangements, with effect from 1 November 2018, LandsD will accept applications from households residing in licenced/surveyed non-domestic structures2 for one-off voluntary registration with a view to freezing the occupation of licenced/surveyed non-domestic structures for domestic purposes and discouraging people from moving into the licenced/surveyed non-domestic structures after 10 May 2018 (i.e. the announcement date of the new arrangements). The voluntary registration is territory-wide and open for one year, during which domestic occupants of licenced/surveyed non-domestic structures who meet the registration criteria specified in paragraph 2 below may submit their registration applications on a voluntary basis. Only those applicants satisfying the requisite registration requirements may be eligible for C&R arrangements in the event that their structures are to be cleared in the Government’s future development clearance exercises.

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Registration CriteriaDomestic occupants must have been residing in a licenced/surveyed non-domestic structure since or before 10 May 2016 and provide relevant proof of residence, including a statutory declaration upon request.

Application Procedure3.1 To obtain an application form

The application form may be obtained from the District Lands Offices, Clearance Offices and Squatter Control Offices of LandsD, as well as the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres3 of the Home Affairs Department. It may also be downloaded from LandsD’s website at www.landsd.gov.hk/en/vrs/vrs.htm.

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Note 1 The Government’s development clearance exercises include clearances required for public works projects (for which relevant works departments have submitted clearance applications to LandsD), clearances related to statutory land resumption and clearances of government land to make way for the Government’s land disposal and other development purposes, but do not include enforcement-related clearances or emergency clearances.

Note 2 The Government conducted in 1982 a territory-wide Squatter Control Survey (SCS) to register the location, dimensions, building materials and use of squatter structures. The survey results are used as a baseline for squatter control whereby the existence of squatters covered by the 1982 SCS (i.e. “surveyed structures”) is tolerated for domestic or non-domestic use, whichever was recorded in the 1982 SCS. Moreover, the Government has issued different licences permitting the erection of temporary structures on government land and private agricultural land, and these include Short Term Tenancies (STTs), Government Land Licences (GLLs), Modification of Tenancy (MOT) Permits, Short Term Waivers (STWs) and Letters of Approval (Ls of A). The structures covered by those licences issued before 1982, or those after 1 June 1982 provided that they are derived from pre-1982 licences in respect of the structures to be cleared and without substantial changes to the conditions of the pre-1982 licences are collectively referred to as “licenced structures”. Such licenced structures are tolerated and could be for domestic or non-domestic use, whichever was stated in the relevant licences.

Note 3 Please refer to Annex I for addresses of the District Lands Offices, Clearance Offices and Squatter Control Offices of LandsD as well as the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department.

Note 4 Please refer to paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3 for the required supporting documents.

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3.2 To submit an application The applicant should submit a completed application form,

together with the required supporting documents4, to LandsD via any of the following means -

IN PERSON to the following offices

(i) Clearance (3) Office (Tai Po Sub-office) Units 317-332, 3rd Floor, Tai Wing House,

Tai Yuen Estate, Tai Po, New Territories; or

(ii) Clearance (3) Office (Tuen Mun Sub-office) Units 28-29 & 31-33, Ground Floor, Hing Tai House, Tai Hing Estate, Tuen Mun, New Territories.

BY POST to the following office

Clearance (3) Office, Lands Department 19th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong.

3.3 Period for application From 1 November 2018 until 31 October 2019 (both dates

inclusive). Late submission of application will not be accepted (Reference

will be made to the postmark date for mailed applications).

3.4 Application number An acknowledgement note together with an application

number will be issued upon the receipt of a registration application. The applicant should keep the acknowledgement note and the application number to facilitate future enquiries.

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Guide for Completion of the Application Form4.1 The applicant and his/her immediate family member(s)

residing in the same structure should complete one application form. Immediate family members include parents, spouse and children etc.. Other family member(s) residing in the same structure should submit a separate application.

4.2 The applicant should provide his/her personal data and those of his/her immediate family member(s) residing in the same structure as specified in the application form, together with copies of all supporting documents for proof of identity and relationship (e.g. marriage certificate or birth certificate)

4.3 The applicant should provide supporting documents proving that he/she and his/her immediate family member(s) have been residing in the licenced/surveyed non-domestic structure since or before 10 May 2016. Documents such as tax returns, tax demand notes, bank statements, any letters or demand notes from the Government and public agencies, records at the Registration and Electoral Office, children’s school handbooks, with the name(s) of the applicant and/or his/her immediate family member(s) printed thereon and issued before 10 May 2016, may be accepted as proof of residence.

4.4 The applicant should provide the Licence/Squatter Control Number of his/her residing structure(s) for verification by LandsD as to whether the said residing structure(s) is/are licenced/surveyed non-domestic structure(s). Otherwise, LandsD’s staff may contact the applicant for further information.

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4.5 The applicant and his/her immediate family members aged 18 or above listed in the application form should sign the form. The parent/guardian of the immediate family member(s) aged below 18 listed in the application form should sign the application form on the said member’s behalf.

4.6 To facilitate processing of the application for voluntary registration, the applicant and his/her immediate family member(s) should authorise LandsD to collect the personal data of the applicant and his/her immediate family member(s) from other relevant government departments, public/private organisations, and/or any other third party (such as employers) in possession of such personal data for verification of the applicant and his/her immediate family member(s)’ eligibility for registration. Whilst the collection of information is in progress, the applicant and his/her immediate family member(s) should also authorise LandsD to disclose their personal data collected to the abovementioned government departments, public/private organisations and/or any other third party for verification. The applicant and his/her immediate family members should authorise, and undertake to provide separate consent, if necessary, to the government departments, public/private organisations and/or any other third party possessing their personal data to furnish LandsD with such data for processing his/her application for voluntary registration.

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4.7 LandsD will use the personal data collected for future assessment of eligibility for general C&R arrangements in the event that the structure(s) is/are required to be cleared in the Government’s future development clearance exercises. LandsD may also use the personal data collected for any necessary investigation and enforcement action under the Squatter Control Policy as appropriate, including handling complaints received against changes of occupant(s) or any other breaches of the structure(s) under the Squatter Control Policy. The personal data collected will be kept by LandsD until fulfillment of the said purposes.

4.8 Pursuant to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, the applicant and his/her immediate family member(s) are entitled to request access to or correction of the personal data provided in the application form. Where necessary, such requests should be made in writing and directed by post to the Departmental Personal Data Controlling Officer of LandsD Headquarters on 19th Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong. A fee may be charged for the request for access to personal data.

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Points to Note5.1 Application for registration is on a voluntary basis. All

required information is provided by the applicant and his/her immediate family member(s) voluntarily.

5.2 The applicant and his/her immediate family members aged 18 or above listed in the application form are held liable for the accuracy of their respective personal data provided in the application form, and so is the parent/guardian who signed on behalf of his/her immediate family member(s) aged under 18.

5.3 The application may not be processed if the application form is not duly completed, or the applicant fails to provide documents as required in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3, or inaccurate/false information is provided.

5.4 The occupation of licenced/surveyed non-domestic structures for domestic purposes is a breach of the prevailing Squatter Control Policy. However, if domestic occupants of licenced/surveyed non-domestic structures have duly applied for registration under the one-off voluntary registration exercise and fulfilled all registration requirements, enforcement action would not normally be taken as a consequence of such a breach of use, provided that there is neither change in domestic occupants nor any other breach under the Squatter Control Policy. Notwithstanding this, they should note that the Government reserves the right to take enforcement action under the Squatter Control Policy.

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EnquiryFor any enquiry, please call LandsD’s enquiry hotline during office hours5 or contact LandsD via e-mail. Application Number (if already allotted) should be quoted in all correspondence.

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2231 3392

Email vrs-cu@landsd.gov.hk

EnquiryHotline

Note 5 Monday to Friday (except public holidays), from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm

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District Lands Office Address Telephone

Hong Kong East 19/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong 2835 1684

Hong Kong West and South 20/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong 2835 1711

Kowloon East and Kowloon West 10/F, Yau Ma Tei Carpark Building, 250 Shanghai Street, Kowloon 2300 1764

Islands 19/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong 2852 4265

North 6/F, North District Government Offices, 3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, N.T. 2675 1809

Sha Tin 11/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin, N.T. 2791 7019

Sai Kung 3/F and 4/F, Sai Kung Government Offices, 34 Chan Man Street, Sai Kung, N.T. 2158 4700

Tai Po 1/F, Tai Po Government Offices, Ting Kok Road, Tai Po, N.T. 2654 1263

Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing 10/F and 11/F, Tsuen Wan Multi-storey Carpark Building,

174-208 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, N.T. 2402 1164

Tuen Mun 6/F and 7/F, Tuen Mun Government Offices, 1 Tuen Hi Road, Tuen Mun, N.T. 2451 1176

Yuen Long 9/F to 11/F, Yuen Long Government Offices, 2 Kiu Lok Square, Yuen Long, N.T. 2443 3573

Squatter Control Office Address Telephone

Hong Kong & Lei Yue Mun Office 19/F, Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong 2896 2457

Islands Office 25/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong 2852 4554

Kowloon, Tsuen Wan & 10/F, 9 Chong Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon

Kwai Tsing Office 2778 8181

New Territories West (1) Office No.14-17, 19-24 & 41-44, G/F, Hing Tai House, Tai Hing Estate, Tuen Mun, N.T. 2462 3800

New Territories West (2) Office Unit 1-8, G/F, Woo Shui House, Shui Pin Wai Estate, Yuen Long, N.T. 2479 7341

New Territories East (1) Office G/F, Luk Chuen House, Lek Yuen Estate, Shatin, N.T. 2691 7361

New Territories East (1) Office 4/F, Sai Kung Government Offices, Sai Kung, N.T.

(Sai Kung Sub-office) 2792 1312

New Territories East (2) Office G/F, Choi Yuk House, Choi Yuen Estate, Sheung Shui, N.T. 2671 0226

* Offices that accept submission of applications in person

Guide and application form are available at6 Annex I

Note 6 Office addresses are subject to change. Please check before visiting.

Clearance Office Address Telephone

Clearance (1) Office

Rear of Hong Kong Stadium, So Kon Po, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong 2577 2525

Units 1001-1003, 10/F, Peak Castle, No.476 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon 2715 1057

Clearance (2) Office

Tai Po Sub-office 317 - 332, 3/F, Tai Wing House, Tai Yuen Estate, Tai Po, N.T. 2664 5141

Tuen Mun Sub-office Units 28 - 29 & 31 - 33, G/F, Hing Tai House, Tai Hing Estate, Tuen Mun, N.T. 2462 3221

Clearance (3) Office

* Tai Po Sub-office 317 - 332, 3/F, Tai Wing House, Tai Yuen Estate, Tai Po, N.T. 3529 2415

* Tuen Mun Sub-office Units 28 - 29 & 31 - 33, G/F, Hing Tai House, Tai Hing Estate, Tuen Mun, N.T. 3520 4777

Hong Kong Sub-officeKowloon and Tsuen WanSub-office

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Address Telephone

Central & Western G/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong 2189 2819 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Eastern G/F, Eastern Law Courts Building,

29 Tai On Street, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong 2886 6531 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Southern G/F, Ocean Court, 3 Aberdeen Praya Road,

Aberdeen, Hong Kong 2814 5720 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Wan Chai G/F, 2 O'Brien Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong 2575 2477 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Kowloon City LG/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,

42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom, Kowloon 2621 3401 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Kwun Tong G/F, The Grande Building, 398 Kwun Tong Road,

Kwun Tong, Kowloon 2342 3431 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sham Shui Po G/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices,

303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon 2728 0781 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Wong Tai Sin Unit 201, 2/F, Lung Cheung Office Block,

138 Lung Cheung Road, Wong Tai Sin, Kowloon 2322 9701 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Yau Tsim Mong G/F, Mong Kok Government Offices,

30 Luen Wan Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon 2399 2111 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Islands (Cheung Chau) G/F, 22 San Hing Street, Cheung Chau, N.T. 2981 1060 8:45 am - 6:45 pm

Islands (Mui Wo) G/F, Mui Wo Government Offices,

2 Ngan Kwong Wan Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, N.T. 2984 7231

Islands (Tung Chung) 1/F, Tung Chung Post Office Building, 6 Mei Tung Street,

Tung Chung, Lantau Island, N.T. 2109 4953 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Kwai Tsing 2/F, Kwai Hing Government Offices Building,

166 - 174 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Chung, N.T. 2425 4602 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

North G/F, North District Government Offices,

3 Pik Fung Road, Fanling, N.T. 2683 2913 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sai Kung G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,

38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, N.T. 3740 5347 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Sha Tin G/F, Sha Tin Government Offices,

1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin, N.T. 2606 5456 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Tai Po G/F, Tai Po Government Offices Building,

Ting Kok Road, Tai Po, N.T. 2654 1262 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Tsuen Wan 1/F, Tsuen Wan Multi-storey Carpark Building,

174 - 208 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, N.T. 2492 5096 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Tuen Mun 2/F, Tuen Mun Government Offices, 1 Tuen Hi Road,

Tuen Mun, N.T. 2451 1151 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Yuen Long G/F, Yuen Long District Office Building,

269 Castle Peak Road, Yuen Long, N.T. 2474 0324 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Office Hours Monday - Friday(Except Public Holidays)

Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Home AffairsEnquiry Centre

Lands Department地政總署

LDPM

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This guide and application form have been uploaded tothe Lands Department website

www.landsd.gov.hk/en/vrs/vrs.htm