Short answer：Expiry, renewal and early termination are different issues. Check the lease and applicable law before agreeing rent, repairs, deposit treatment and handover in writing.
Do not assume automatic renewal or increases
Check who can exercise renewal, notice, review and break provisions. Regulated subdivided-unit tenancies may carry statutory protections. Compare similar properties using actual rental evidence.
Agree the handover details
For renewal, record the new term, payments and repairs. For departure, arrange inspection, keys, bills and deposit reconciliation. Disputes should not be resolved through lock changes or withholding possessions as pressure.
Before deciding
- List key dates early
- Document agreed changes
- Record condition and reconcile accounts at handover
Sources and method
Sources support the specific rules described. Checklists and hypothetical calculations are editorial explanations, not measured market results or individual approvals.
Revision：Removed unsupported experience, case outcomes and statistics; corrected the topic-specific rules and limitations described above.
Scope：General information only, not personalised legal, tax, immigration, admissions or investment advice.
Lease expiry: renewal, notice and handover
Before renewing or leaving, check the expiry date, break clause, notice period and service method. A notice alone does not establish a right to end a fixed term early without an applicable break clause. This guide explains record keeping, not a legal outcome.
Is move-out notice always 30 days?
No. Check the agreement, tenancy type and applicable law. Do not copy dates from an online template. The downloadable notice guide (Chinese) helps record the address, clause, notice date and proposed handover, with proof of service.
Renewal comparison and agreement
Compare similar rents, included charges, term, repairs and moving costs. Put any new arrangement in writing with effective dates, rent, deposit treatment and other terms. Keep the signed version and arrange applicable stamping (Chinese).
Move-out checklist
- Confirm notice and handover arrangements in writing; silence is not automatic consent to vary a lease.
- Record condition, utility meters, keys and access cards, with photos comparable to move-in records.
- Separate unpaid rent, agreed deductions and disputed sums; request the deposit statement and supporting bills.
- For possession or other disputes, seek appropriate legal assistance rather than changing locks or disconnecting utilities.
Deposit disputes · CLIC notice-period guidance · RVD tenancy matters
Checked on 5 October 2026. General residential and regulated subdivided-unit tenancies have different requirements. Obtain advice on the actual documents for material decisions.
This section checked: 2026-10-05