Hong Kong’s Property Market Sees Limited Impact From China Security Law

(Bloomberg) -- Early signs of any impact on the property market from Hong Kong’s new security law have been muted with sales and home-price data barely flinching.

The law, which came into effect June 30, allows authorities investigating national security matters to freeze assets and seize property. That’s sparked concern that Hong Kong, long one of Asia’s premier financial cities, will become a less desirable place to live and work. Australia’s government earlier this month advised its citizens against traveling there.

But property agents on the ground say the city’s residential market, at least for now, has enough local support.

“Political events usually don’t impact Hong Kong’s residential market” much, said Sammy Po, the chief executive officer of Midland Realty International Ltd.’s home division. Low interest rates, limited supply and abundant capital have a more significant effect, he said.

Local-dollar deposits in Hong Kong increased 0.1% to HK$6.9 trillion ($890 billion) in May from April, Hong Kong Monetary Authority data released last month show. Foreign-currency deposits declined 0.6% during the same period.

“Pent-up demand remains strong. Those staying in Hong Kong still have a housing need,” Po said.

Data do seem to bear out those sentiments. Weekend sales of existing apartments dipped in May as large-scale demonstrations protesting China’s planned imposition of the security law erupted, but picked up again in June.

Similarly, secondary home prices have landed broadly in the same territory. Home values rose 1.04% in the week ended June 12 from a week earlier, the biggest increase in a month, data released Friday by Centaline show.

While the luxury end of the market may feel the pinch in the short term, with some sellers offering discounts of about 10%, longer-term buyers will prioritize stability and the ability to turn a profit, according to Howard Chu, a senior sales manager at Midland who oversees prestige homes.

“The most important thing for Hong Kong is its stability and continued success,” said Nick Loup, group vice chairman at Chelsfield Group, a London-based property developer and investor with around $5.5 billion in assets under management. “One of the reasons it’s always been successful is the high level of transparency, the excellent legal system and the rule of law.”

Loup said the new security regulations could restore the city’s stability, adding that Chelsfield is interested in investing in properties valued at between HK$300 million and HK$5 billion.

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