House Vs. Hovel

As part of our search for a new flat, we're considering renting a village house.

A typical unit is one level of a three-floor low-rise building, measuring about 700 square feet. If not renting the entire building, the next best thing is a duplex, where two levels are connected by an internal staircase. Having 1,400 square feet makes up for the less convenient public transport.

As many village houses are new or only a few years old, they're clean and in good condition.

Though we take pains to explain that this is what we want, some agents just don't get it. One woman took us to view a unit in an older village near the Tai Po KCR station. The moment I saw the location I knew it would be bad.

The house was sandwiched between other buildings on a slope, which blocked natural light. Strike one.

Both the building and the area were old and dingy. Strike two.

Dead cockroaches littered the floor in every room. Strike three.

My wife and I remained polite, but it was all I could do not to remind the agent we wanted a house, not a hovel.

The search continues.

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