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Knowledge Base · Blog

Practical filing guides, case analysis and tips.

Paper-craft illustration of a green origami lion seated on all fours beside a baby bassinet in a living room, while a cardboard-character woman sits on the sofa looking at a phone, the screen and wall frame left blank
Consumer Disputes8 min

Confinement Nanny (陪月) Agency Dispute in Hong Kong? Recovering Your Deposit and Fees

Compiled by EasyDebt from the Consumer Council, the Labour Department, Customs and the Judiciary: what to do when a confinement nanny agency keeps your deposit, swaps your caregiver at short notice, or sends someone whose experience does not match what was advertised. First work out whether your dispute is with the agency or with the caregiver, then choose the right forum. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard paper-craft scene of a woman standing at an estate agency desk holding a stack of blank documents, with a green and navy origami lion on the desk beside her, a cork board of blank listing cards and a plain clock on the wall, and old Hong Kong tenement buildings visible through the window.
Estate Agent Disputes7 min read

Estate Agent Charging Hidden Extra Fees Beyond Commission? Recovering the Overcharge

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Estate Agents Authority, the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC) and the Hong Kong Judiciary: what to do when a licensed estate agent springs an 'administrative fee' or 'documentation fee' on top of the agreed commission, how to check it against your signed agreement, and how the EAA complaint, EAA determination and Small Claims Tribunal routes differ. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A paper-craft scene of a woman in a yellow blouse and burgundy skirt holding out a blank envelope to a worried young man in a grey t-shirt, with a green and navy origami lion sitting between them in front of an open cardboard door.
Deposit Disputes7 min read

Paid a Holding Deposit to Reserve a Flat and Lost It When the Deal Fell Through? A Hong Kong Recovery Guide

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC), the Estate Agents Authority and the Hong Kong Judiciary: what a holding payment paid to a landlord or agent before any tenancy is signed actually is in law, whether you can get it back when the deal collapses, why the exact wording and your WhatsApp record decide the outcome, and how to claim it through the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Consumer Disputes6 min read

Bought Goods on Hire Purchase and They're Faulty? Why the Finance Company May Still Chase You for Payment

Furniture, an appliance or an instrument bought on hire purchase turns out faulty, you stop paying — and the finance company keeps chasing. EasyDebt explains, using CLIC and the Hong Kong Judiciary: the three-party structure, why simply stopping payment is the weakest position, and how to claim against the seller (HK$75,000 or below at the Small Claims Tribunal). For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: a landlord sitting at a home desk, calm but serious, reviewing a tenancy document and an official letter, a phone and notebook nearby, a green origami cardboard lion with navy-blue interior folds seated quietly beside the documents, soft warm daylight, solemn mood.
Tenancy Disputes9 min

Tenant Passed Away With Unpaid Rent? A Landlord's Guide to Claiming Against the Estate in Hong Kong

EasyDebt draws on public materials from the Hong Kong Judiciary, the Home Affairs Department and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC): whether a tenancy ends automatically when a tenant dies depends on whether it is a regulated subdivided-unit tenancy; unpaid rent does not disappear either way — it survives as a debt of the estate, pursued through the personal representative. Claims of HK$75,000 or less can go to the Small Claims Tribunal. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style man sitting alone at his home dining table at night, holding a phone showing a blank chat screen, looking pensive, a blank photo frame on the table, a green paper-craft lion sitting on the table beside him, Hong Kong residential towers visible through the window
Debt Recovery7 min

Lent Money to a Family Member and They Say It Was a Gift? Proving a Family Loan in Hong Kong

EasyDebt breaks this down using CLIC (Community Legal Information Centre), Hong Kong law firm research and the Hong Kong Judiciary: how Hong Kong law treats a 'was it a loan or a gift' dispute, what evidence actually tips the balance, the six-year limitation period, and when a family loan genuinely cannot be recovered. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Paper-craft cardboard-cutout illustration of a beauty salon owner standing behind a wooden reception counter with both palms open explaining something, a customer standing opposite holding an open blank kraft-paper folder, the green paper-craft lion with navy inner folds standing on the counter between them, a blank noticeboard on the wall behind, a mint-green treatment room visible in the background
Beauty & Gym7 min read

Beauty Salon Changed Owners and Won't Honour Your Old Package? Who's Actually Liable

Your beauty salon didn't close — it was sold to a new operator, and the new owner says your old package doesn't count anymore. EasyDebt breaks down, using the Consumer Council's own published guidance: how the Transfer of Businesses (Protection of Creditors) Ordinance splits liability between the old and new owner, how short the claim window actually is, and the documented industry pattern of salons being resold specifically to squeeze existing customers. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Papercraft-style cardboard man standing at a wooden beauty-salon reception counter, signing a blank document with a pen, a deep-green paper-craft origami lion standing on the counter beside him, a row of glass toiletry bottles with fully blank labels, dense Hong Kong apartment towers visible through the window
Beauty & Gym6 min read

Paid for a Beauty Package by Instalment or a Finance-Company Loan? Why a Refund Might Not Stop the Repayments

Salon staff said they could 'arrange instalments' — then it turns out you signed a loan with a separate finance company, not your own credit card's instalment plan. EasyDebt breaks down, using the Consumer Council, the Companies Registry and the Hong Kong Judiciary: how to tell the two apart, why it matters, and what to do if you're already stuck. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style woman in a mustard-yellow blouse and burgundy pleated skirt standing at a beauty salon reception counter beside a completely blank document, with a green paper-craft lion beside her, salon mirrors and chairs in the background
Beauty & Gym7 min read

Salon Sold Your Under-18 Child an Expensive Beauty Package? A Parent's Guide to Recovering It

Your under-18 child was talked into a beauty package costing thousands of dollars? Prepared by EasyDebt using the Consumer Council's own beauty-service contract template, the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC), and the Hong Kong Judiciary: how to check whether the salon followed its own rules, whether the contract is even binding, what to watch for with on-the-spot credit card instalments, and how to recover the money step by step. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style young man (a tenant) standing in a Hong Kong residential corridor facing a door with a changed lock, several bags and boxes of belongings piled outside, a downcast but composed expression, a green paper-craft lion sitting beside him
Tenancy Disputes7 min

Landlord Changed the Locks or Threw Out Your Belongings Without a Court Order? Claiming in Hong Kong

EasyDebt's guide, based on the Rating and Valuation Department's own official guidance on the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance Cap. 7 Part IV: a landlord who changes the locks, discards a tenant's belongings, or cuts off utilities without a court order may commit a criminal offence — even if the tenant genuinely owes rent. A tenant can complain to the Department and separately claim their own losses at the Small Claims Tribunal, up to HK$75,000. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Papercraft illustration in matte cardboard of a Hong Kong residential corridor, two cardboard residents standing together — one holding a photo of a water-stained ceiling patch — the origami lion seated nearby on all four legs, observing.
Property Disputes7 min read

Leak From an Upstairs Rented Flat — Do You Sue the Landlord or the Tenant?

Prepared by EasyDebt using the Land Registry, the Joint Office for Investigation of Water Seepage Complaints, the Hong Kong Judiciary and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC): when a leak comes from an upstairs flat that's rented out, the first problem isn't who's liable — it's that you may not even know who's living there, since a land search only reveals the owner's name. Liability turns on who had knowledge of the source and failed to act in reasonable time, not simply who owns the flat, with evidence tips and how to file at the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Papercraft illustration in matte cardboard of a Hong Kong rooftop scene, a property owner and a building management staff member standing together on a rooftop, pointing at a cracked section of waterproof membrane near a drain outlet, the origami lion standing nearby on all four legs, observing.
Property Disputes8 min read

Water Leaking From the Rooftop or Flat Roof? Who's Liable in Hong Kong

Prepared by EasyDebt using a Lands Tribunal precedent, the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344), and the Joint Office for Investigation of Water Seepage Complaints: liability for a rooftop or flat-roof leak depends on how the building's Deed of Mutual Covenant assigns the roof and whether the waterproofing layer counts as a common part — it isn't automatically the top-floor owner's problem or automatically the Owners' Corporation's, with evidence tips and how to file at the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style elderly man in a maroon cardigan stands in a multi-storey Hong Kong car park, holding out a blank cream envelope with one hand, a blank-plated sedan parked behind him, with the green paper-craft origami lion standing on all fours on the tiles in front of him
Deposit Disputes6 min read

Car Park Space Deposit Not Returned? Why 'Tenancy' vs 'Licence' Decides How You Claim It in Hong Kong

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC) and the Hong Kong Judiciary: why a car park deposit dispute isn't quite the same as an ordinary flat deposit dispute, how to tell a tenancy from a licence, what evidence to prepare, and how to recover the deposit through the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style woman (charv2-b) stands outside a row of shuttered Hong Kong shopfronts holding a blank gift voucher card, a disappointed expression on her face, a green paper-craft lion with navy-blue folds sitting on the pavement beside her feet, other rolled-down shutters in the background
Consumer Disputes7 min

Shop Closed and Your Gift Voucher Is Worthless? Recovering the Value in Hong Kong

EasyDebt's guide, based on public Hong Kong Customs, Consumer Council and Official Receiver's Office data — how a consumer can recover the value of an unredeemed gift voucher or cash coupon when a Hong Kong shop closes down or refuses to honour it, covering the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, credit card chargeback, liquidation and the Small Claims Tribunal. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Paper-craft illustration: a cardboard-cutout laundry shop clerk (char-merchant) stands behind the counter holding a blank receipt in one hand and a hanger with a beige knit sweater in the other, looking worried, with six blank kraft price tags lined up on the counter; the green origami lion with navy inner-fold facets stands beside her, garment bags on rolling racks in the background.
Service Disputes6 min

Laundry or Dry Cleaner Damaged, Shrank, or Lost Your Clothes? Claiming in Hong Kong

EasyDebt sets out, based on public Consumer Council cases and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC): when a laundry or dry cleaner damages, shrinks or loses your clothing, whether a 'not responsible' disclaimer on the ticket is actually valid, what evidence to gather, how to value the claim, and how to pursue it through the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only; this is not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style illustration of a construction worker in a yellow hard hat and orange hi-vis vest kneeling in a half-renovated room, a green paper-craft EasyDebt lion with navy-blue folds standing beside him, exposed timber wall studs and a geometric origami accent panel behind them, paint cans and wood boards on the floor.
Service Disputes6 min

No Written Contract for Your Renovation, Just a Verbal Deal? Proving Your Case in Hong Kong

Agreed a small renovation job by phone or WhatsApp, with nothing signed, and now there's a dispute over price or scope? A verbal agreement is generally binding under Hong Kong law — the real difficulty is proving it. What evidence actually helps, a habit that protects you going forward, and the Small Claims Tribunal route. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style man crouching in a narrow Hong Kong subdivided-flat corridor holding up a smartphone with a blank screen, a green paper-craft lion with navy-blue folds sitting further down the corridor behind him, iron security gates on both sides, purely geometric wall posters with no text, a blank paper slip on the floor
Deposit Disputes7 min

Paid a Deposit to a Sub-Landlord Who Isn't the Owner? Recovering It in Hong Kong

EasyDebt's guide, based on the Land Registry, the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC) and the Judiciary: why the true owner usually isn't liable for a deposit paid to an unauthorised sub-landlord, who you should actually pursue, how to check ownership before you pay, and how to file at the Small Claims Tribunal. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style man sitting at a home study desk in Hong Kong, reviewing a completely blank open agency agreement document, a second unrelated agent's blank business card set aside on the desk, a green paper-craft lion sitting on a bookshelf watching the document, a Hong Kong residential skyline visible through the window
Estate Agency Disputes7 min

Signed an Exclusive Agency to Sell Your Flat? Switching Agents Can Cost You Two Commissions

EasyDebt's guide, based on the Estate Agents Authority and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC) — an owner who signs an exclusive agency agreement usually owes nothing extra for selling directly themselves, but switching to a second agent during the exclusive period can trigger a second commission. This is the trap most owners don't see coming. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style man (charv2-a) standing at an open flat doorway in an older Hong Kong residential corridor, holding up a blank invoice with a skeptical expression, a green paper-craft lion with navy-blue folds sitting in the middle of the corridor, a cardboard toolbox on the floor behind him, iron window grilles lining the corridor walls
Service Disputes7 min

Overcharged or Ripped Off by a Mandatory Window Inspection Contractor? Recovering Your Money

EasyDebt's guide, based on public Buildings Department, Consumer Council and Ombudsman data — the overcharging patterns documented under Hong Kong's Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme: 'free inspections' that still carry a fee, unqualified inspectors, and non-mandatory upselling. How to verify an inspector before paying, what evidence matters, and the Small Claims Tribunal route to recover an overcharged sum. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Paper-craft illustration of a woman in a yellow blouse standing outside a shuttered beauty salon storefront, holding a blank receipt, a blank closure notice taped to the shutter, the green paper-craft lion sitting beside her on a cardboard box
Beauty & Gym8 min read

Beauty Salon Closed With Your Prepaid Package? How to Try to Recover Your Money in Hong Kong

Beauty salon or gym suddenly closed, leaving you with an unused prepaid package? EasyDebt breaks down, using the Consumer Council, the Hong Kong government and the Judiciary's own public information: credit card chargebacks, becoming an unsecured creditor once a company liquidates, when a Small Claims Tribunal claim is still worth filing, and when you can (and can't) go after the owner personally. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Paper-craft origami lion sitting in a home study beside the cardboard woman character, who is holding a mirror to check her own cheek, with a phone and a blank appointment card on the desk
Beauty & Gym7 min read

Injured by a Beauty or Medical Aesthetic Treatment? Claiming Compensation in Hong Kong

Burned, scarred, or injured by an injection, laser, or other invasive beauty treatment? Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Consumer Council, Hong Kong Customs' Trade Descriptions Ordinance guidance, and the Hong Kong Judiciary: the negligence claim, the evidence to gather, how to scope your claim realistically, and whether the Small Claims Tribunal or a solicitor fits your case. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Paper-craft illustration: two cardboard-cutout characters flank a cardboard counter, a man handing a laptop to a woman, the EasyDebt origami lion seated to their right, cardboard boxes stacked in the background.
Repair Disputes6 min

Repair Shop Lost or Damaged Your Phone or Laptop? Claiming Compensation in Hong Kong

EasyDebt sets out, based on public information from the Hong Kong Judiciary and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC): when a phone, laptop or other electronic device comes back from a repair shop with new damage, or the shop can't produce it at all, what your legal grounds are, what evidence to gather, how to value the claim, and how to pursue it through the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only; this is not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: a man in a grey shirt (charv2-a) crouches under a bathroom sink in a Hong Kong home, holding up his phone to film water gushing from a burst pipe joint into a plastic bucket, a green origami lion with navy interior folds seated on all fours on a cardboard stool beside him, watching the water.
Property Disputes8 min

A Burst Pipe Upstairs Flooded Your Flat? Sudden Bursts Are a Different Claim from a Slow Leak

EasyDebt breaks this down using public materials from the Hong Kong Judiciary, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and local news reporting: why a sudden pipe burst is usually not a Joint Office case, who is actually liable, how a home insurer's third-party liability cover can help, and how to claim through the Small Claims Tribunal or the District Court. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Paper-craft origami lion beside a cardboard-character woman cradling a bandaged small dog outside a shopfront, every shop sign on the street left blank
Consumer Disputes8 min

Pet Injured or Died at a Grooming or Boarding Service? Claiming in Hong Kong

Compiled by EasyDebt from Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC), and the Judiciary: what to do, what evidence to gather, and what you can realistically claim if a pet was injured, became ill, or died while at a grooming salon or boarding facility in Hong Kong. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style tenant stands in a corridor holding a blank piece of kraft paper, looking at a blank notice pinned to a corkboard on the wall, with the green paper-craft origami lion seated on a bench in the middle distance looking at the same board
Deposit Disputes6 min read

Landlord Sold the Flat or the Bank Repossessed It — Can You Still Recover Your Deposit?

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC) and the Hong Kong Judiciary: what happens to your tenancy and your deposit when the landlord sells the flat or the bank repossesses it, how to find out who is now responsible for returning the deposit, and how to file at the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style woman (charv2-b) sitting at a home dining table, two blank kraft-paper documents and a phone with a blank screen on the table in front of her, a green paper-craft lion sitting on the floor behind the table, a Hong Kong residential street visible through the window
Consumer Disputes7 min

Paid a Domestic Helper Agency and Got Nothing? Recovering Your Fee in Hong Kong

EasyDebt's guide, based on public Labour Department and Consumer Council data — you paid a domestic helper agency a service fee, the helper backed out or a replacement didn't match what was agreed, and the agency refuses to refund you. This is a different question from the statutory cap on what an agency may charge the HELPER, and knowing which government body actually has jurisdiction changes where you should go next. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style man sitting at a kitchen table holding a phone and looking at it thoughtfully, a completely blank letter on the table in front of him, a green paper-craft lion sitting on a low stool beside him watching the phone
Estate Agency Disputes8 min

Was Your Estate Agent Actually Unlicensed? Do You Still Owe Commission?

EasyDebt's guide, based on public Estate Agents Authority data — the 'agent' now chasing you for commission turns out to have had no licence at all when your deal was done, and possibly no record with the regulator whatsoever. This is a different situation from an ordinary commission dispute, and the first step is verifying who you're actually dealing with before deciding how to respond. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: in a Hong Kong home study, a young man holds a plain blank envelope that has just come back to him unopened, a smartphone lying flat on the desk showing an empty chat screen with no text, a green origami cardboard lion with navy-blue interior folds seated on a low stool beside him, a Hong Kong skyline visible through the window behind them.
Debt Recovery9 min

Can You Still Sue If the Debtor Has Disappeared? Recovering Money in Hong Kong

EasyDebt breaks this down using public materials from the Hong Kong Judiciary and CLIC (Community Legal Information Centre): a debtor going quiet or moving away doesn't stop a Small Claims Tribunal claim — documents can be served to their last known address, and the Tribunal can rule in your favour even if they never respond. Simply failing to repay isn't a crime on its own, but borrowing with no intention of ever repaying can cross into deception under section 16A of the Theft Ordinance. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion sitting by a beauty salon reception counter while the cardboard woman character holds a blank form, pen paused mid-signature
Beauty & Gym7 min read

No Legal 'Cooling-Off Period' for Beauty Salons in Hong Kong — What If You Regret Signing?

No cooling-off period at your beauty salon or gym? EasyDebt breaks down, using the government's own consultation paper, the Consumer Council, and the Hong Kong Judiciary: the current legal position, how the Unconscionable Contracts Ordinance can still help, credit card chargebacks, and the Small Claims Tribunal route. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style young man in a Hong Kong subdivided-flat corridor holds a moving box, with the green paper-craft origami lion sitting on all fours beside a small wooden side table nearby
Deposit Disputes6 min read

Breaking a Hong Kong Lease Early: Can the Landlord Keep the Whole Deposit?

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Rating and Valuation Department, the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC), and the Hong Kong Judiciary: whether a landlord can lawfully keep your entire deposit for ending a fixed-term tenancy early, how a penalty clause differs from a reasonable estimate of loss, and how to recover an unreasonable deduction. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: a man in an empty flat still stacked with cardboard moving boxes crouches to touch a large brown water stain on the wall, a green origami paper lion with navy interior folds sitting on the box beside him, Hong Kong towers and scaffolding visible through the window.
Property Disputes9 min

Bought a Flat and Found a Hidden Leak? Chasing the Seller in Hong Kong

You've completed a second-hand Hong Kong flat purchase and only after moving in discovered a leak the seller knew about and concealed. EasyDebt breaks this down using the Misrepresentation Ordinance, the Estate Agents Ordinance and public materials from the Hong Kong Judiciary: why an 'as is' clause isn't a blanket shield, how to gather evidence the seller knew, and which claim amounts actually fit the Small Claims Tribunal. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style man and woman shaking hands across a kitchen table, a completely blank sheet of paper between them, a green paper-craft lion sitting on a stool beside the man watching them
Estate Agency Disputes8 min

Renewed a Hong Kong Tenancy Directly? Do You Still Owe the Agent Commission

EasyDebt's guide, based on the Estate Agents Authority and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC) — when a landlord and tenant who first met through an agent later renew directly between themselves, whether a further commission is owed depends on what the original Form 6 agreement actually says, not on market habit. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: a cardboard repair worker in a yellow hard hat and hi-vis vest kneels in a living room, catching drips from a brown ceiling water stain with a bucket, a green-and-navy origami paper lion standing beside him between the sofa and coffee table, moving boxes in the background, a Hong Kong tong-lau building and a red private car visible through the window.
Tenancy Disputes9 min

Can You Withhold Rent If the Landlord Won't Repair? Tenant Rights in Hong Kong

EasyDebt draws on public materials from the Hong Kong Judiciary and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC): whether a tenant can withhold rent when the landlord won't repair, how much legal risk that carries, whose job the repair actually is, the safer alternatives, and how to claim repair costs at the Small Claims Tribunal. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Papercraft-style illustration in the site's cardboard-figure aesthetic: a shopkeeper in a cream apron stands behind a counter at an electronics repair shop, sliding a plain brown cardboard box toward a green-and-navy origami lion standing on the counter, the shop crowded with electronic equipment and cables, a Hong Kong shophouse street with a pink-striped awning visible through the doorway.
Consumer Disputes8 min read

Product Broke Within Warranty and the Shop Won't Honour It? Hong Kong Guide

Prepared by EasyDebt using the Sale of Goods Ordinance (Cap. 26), the Control of Exemption Clauses Ordinance (Cap. 71), and publicly available Consumer Council information: what a consumer can do when a product breaks down within its warranty period and the shop refuses to honour it, blames human damage, or points to warranty-card fine print. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: a hard-hat cardboard tradesperson in a flat under renovation, with a cardboard lion alongside.
Property Disputes10 min

Your Renovation Caused a Leak Downstairs? Liability and Claims in Hong Kong

EasyDebt draws on public materials from the Hong Kong Judiciary, the Joint Office for Investigation of Water Seepage, the Buildings Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Consumer Council and CLIC (the Community Legal Information Centre): who is on the hook when renovation work causes a leak downstairs, whether the Joint Office can actually help, how an owner's claim against a negligent contractor differs from the neighbour's claim, and what each side needs to prove at the Small Claims Tribunal. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Papercraft-style illustration in the site's cardboard-figure aesthetic: a grey-haired, bespectacled elder stands with their back to the camera in front of a shuttered storefront, holding a blank document, with a green-and-navy origami lion sitting beside them looking at the shutter, against a Hong Kong street backdrop.
Consumer Disputes8 min read

Electronics Store Took Your Deposit and Never Delivered? In-Store Purchase Disputes in Hong Kong

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Consumer Council, the Hong Kong Judiciary, and the Sale of Goods Ordinance: what to do when an electronics or furniture store fails to deliver a paid deposit, and how instalment or finance-company arrangements complicate a claim. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: at a kitchen table in a Hong Kong subdivided flat, a man under lamp light compares two separate blank tenancy documents in his hands, a calculator and a rent ledger beside him, a green origami cardboard lion with navy-blue interior folds seated on the other side of the table with one paw resting on the corner of one of the documents, a focused, slightly worried mood.
Tenancy Disputes10 min

Your Subtenant Stopped Paying — Are You Still on the Hook to the Landlord?

EasyDebt breaks this down using public materials from the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC) and the Hong Kong Judiciary: your head tenancy with the landlord and your sub-tenancy with your subtenant are two completely separate contracts — if your subtenant stops paying, the landlord can still claim the full rent from you, and you cannot simply pay the landlord less because your subtenant hasn't paid you. Recovering the shortfall from your subtenant needs its own Small Claims Tribunal claim, capped at HK$75,000. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: at a Hong Kong kitchen table, a man holds a pen ready to sign the guarantor section of a blank tenancy agreement while a woman beside him watches, a green origami cardboard lion with navy-blue interior folds seated on the table between them with one paw resting near the blank document, warm lamp light.
Tenancy Disputes9 min

Asked to Be a Rent Guarantor in Hong Kong? What You're Actually Liable For

EasyDebt breaks this down using public materials from the Hong Kong Judiciary and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC): signing as a tenancy guarantor generally makes you liable for a tenant's unpaid rent, and a landlord can often pursue the guarantor directly without exhausting the tenant first; the actual scope, cap and end date all depend on the exact wording you signed. Claims of HK$75,000 or less can go to the Small Claims Tribunal. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard young man stands behind a tall service counter with a blank-screened phone and a kraft cardboard box on the counter top; a paper-craft lion with a green exterior and navy-blue interior folds stands on all fours on the counter beside him, both looking at the phone, with kraft-toned Hong Kong shopfronts and a tram in the background
Consumer Disputes9 min read

Scammed on Carousell or Facebook Marketplace in Hong Kong? Chasing a Private Seller

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Hong Kong Judiciary, police anti-fraud guidance and the Limitation Ordinance: how to tell a recoverable second-hand marketplace dispute from an outright scam, what evidence to keep, and how to file at the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Two cardboard figures stand between a Hong Kong moving van and a row of shopfronts on the street, both looking at a scratched wooden cabinet resting on a cardboard box; a paper-craft lion with a green exterior and navy-blue interior folds sits on all fours beside them, with kraft-toned Hong Kong street shopfronts in the background
Consumer Disputes9 min read

Movers Damaged Your Furniture or Demanded More Money on the Day? Hong Kong Moving Disputes

Prepared by EasyDebt using the Hong Kong Consumer Council, the Supply of Services (Implied Terms) Ordinance and the Hong Kong Judiciary: what a moving company's quotation should specify before you book, how to handle a last-minute demand for more money before your belongings are released, what evidence to gather, and how to file at the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion and a cardboard couple sitting at a home dining table reviewing a wedding vendor contract, a shuttered shopfront visible through the window behind them
Consumer Disputes9 min read

Wedding Venue or Photo Studio Cancelled or Closed Down? Recovering Your Deposit in Hong Kong

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Consumer Council, the Companies Registry and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance: how to recover a wedding vendor deposit after a banquet venue changes terms or a photo studio closes down, and the legal limits on suing a director personally. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style shopkeeper character (char-merchant) standing behind a wooden counter reading blank documents, a stack of blank envelopes and paper on the counter, a green origami lion with navy inner folds standing on the counter beside her, a Hong Kong shopfront security grille and a plain-faced wall clock visible behind, a cardboard cash box holding blank paper banknotes beside a cash register on the right.
Loan Recovery9 min

The Company That Owes You Money Just Wound Up — Can You Still Get Paid?

EasyDebt breaks this down using published guidance from the Official Receiver's Office (ORO) and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC): once a company is formally wound up by court order, creditors generally stop using the Small Claims Tribunal and instead submit a proof of debt to the liquidator; unsecured creditors rank last in the distribution order and may only recover part of what's owed, or nothing at all, but filing a claim is still worth doing. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: a man in a grey shirt stands on his own balcony looking up at a neighbour's air-conditioner unit dripping water onto his damaged drying laundry, a green origami cardboard lion with navy-blue interior folds seated beside him also looking up, a Hong Kong residential skyline in the background.
Property Disputes8 min

Neighbour's Air-Con Dripping Water Damaged Your Property? Claiming in Hong Kong

EasyDebt breaks this down using public materials from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, a government press release, the Hong Kong Judiciary and 1823: why upstairs air-conditioner dripping is so common, how FEHD's fines differ from compensation for your own loss, what evidence actually matters, and how to file at the Small Claims Tribunal. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: a man in a grey shirt holds up a paper moisture meter towards a brown water stain spreading across the ceiling, a woman in a yellow blouse (charv2-b) looking up beside him, a cardboard sofa behind them and a cardboard EasyDebt lion seated alongside.
Property Disputes8 min

Joint Office Can't Find the Leak Source? What to Do Next in Hong Kong

EasyDebt breaks this down using public materials from the Joint Office for Investigation of Water Seepage, government press releases and the Hong Kong Judiciary: what happens after the Joint Office fails to pin down a source, how the Tribunal's 'balance of probabilities' standard actually works, when you can file without waiting for a result, and what to do if you name the wrong defendant. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard paper-craft couple (grey-shirt man charv2-a and yellow-shirt woman charv2-b) pointing at a small brown ceiling stain in their living room, the renovation contract open on a desk nearby, a cardboard paper-craft EasyDebt lion sitting by the desk looking at the stain too
Service Disputes8 min

Renovation Defects After Handover: Claiming Under the Warranty Period in Hong Kong

EasyDebt sets out, based on public information from the Hong Kong Judiciary and the Consumer Council: what to do when defects such as leaks, peeling paint or faulty switches appear after a renovation is signed off, how to tell a warranty defect from new damage, how to notify the contractor, and how to pursue a Small Claims Tribunal claim. For general procedural reference only; this is not legal advice.

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Cardboard-craft illustration: a man in a grey shirt turns an open palm in question towards an estate agent in a yellow blouse carrying a paper handbag, a folded paper agreement and a paper envelope lying on the cardboard table between them, a cardboard EasyDebt lion standing to the left.
Estate Agency Disputes9 min

The Deal Fell Through After You 撻訂 — Do You Still Owe Commission?

EasyDebt's guide, based on public guidance from the Estate Agents Authority and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC) — when a provisional sale falls through, the forfeited deposit and the estate agent's commission are two separate questions. Deposit forfeiture is governed by the contract, and a vendor keeping more than 10% of the price without proof of actual loss may not be upheld; commission depends entirely on what your signed Form 3/4 agreement states, not on whether the deal completed. Disputes can go to EAA determination or the Small Claims Tribunal. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Paper-craft cardboard-cutout illustration of a man (charv2-a) crouching under an older Hong Kong residential building's external corridor, inspecting a chunk of concrete debris on the hood of a parked car with a cracked windscreen and taking a photo with his phone, a green origami lion with navy-blue folds sitting on its haunches beside him, head lowered toward the same debris.
Property Disputes9 min read

Who Pays When Concrete Falls? Spalling-Concrete Liability in Hong Kong

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Hong Kong Judiciary, the Home Affairs Department's building management pages, and the Buildings Department: who is liable when spalling concrete damages a vehicle or other property — private unit, a connected upstairs unit, or the common parts — plus the Owners' Corporation's third-party risk insurance and the Small Claims Tribunal route. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Paper-craft illustration of a young man (charv2-a) at a kitchen table holding a blank credit card statement, with a phone and an unopened cardboard parcel on the table, a green origami lion with navy-blue folds standing beside him looking at the phone, Hong Kong residential towers visible through the window.
Consumer Disputes8 min read

Chargeback or Small Claims Tribunal? Deciding How to Fight a Bad Purchase in Hong Kong

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Hong Kong Judiciary, a card-issuing bank's chargeback guidance, and the official FPS (轉數快) FAQ: how credit card chargeback compares to filing at the Small Claims Tribunal, and why FPS/PayMe transfers leave a real recovery gap. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style illustration of a woman in a mustard blouse (charv2-b) pointing at a brown water stain on her living-room wall, a green origami paper lion with navy interior folds standing beside her, Hong Kong residential towers visible through the window.
Water Leakage9 min

Water Damage: Claim on Insurance or Sue at the Tribunal? A Hong Kong Decision Guide

EasyDebt breaks this down using public materials from the Buildings Management Authority, the Consumer Council and the insurance industry: how a home insurance liability benefit actually works, what the excess and exclusions really mean, how to chase the shortfall, and what an insurer's subrogation right means for you. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style young man sitting worried at a home kitchen table in Hong Kong, holding a blank paper card with a red circular stamp, a green origami paper lion seated on the floor beside him, a city skyline visible through the window
Debt Recovery9 min

Repaid With a Bounced Cheque? Recovering a Private Debt in Hong Kong When It Dishonours

EasyDebt breaks this down using the Hong Kong Judiciary and Hong Kong Police Force's public materials: the common reasons a cheque dishonours, why the Judiciary keeps a dedicated dishonoured-cheque claim form, the difference between the criminal and civil routes, and how to file a Small Claims Tribunal claim using a bounced cheque and its dishonour memo. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Papercraft illustration, in matte cardboard, of a building common-area corridor with an exposed ceiling pipe dripping a stylized water droplet into a paper bucket, while a casual young man character kneels beside the bucket looking up and a smart-casual woman character stands behind him pointing at the pipe.
Water Leakage8 min read

Leak From a Common-Area Pipe? Who Pays — the Owners' Corporation or a Neighbour

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Home Affairs Department's building management website, the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC), the Joint Office for Investigation of Water Seepage Complaints and the Hong Kong Judiciary: common-area leaks (roof, external wall, shared pipework) should be pursued against the Owners' Corporation, not the party you'd chase for a leak from a private unit above — with evidence tips and how to file at the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion and a cardboard small-shop owner handing over keys outside a cleared-out shop with the shutter half-raised, daytime street scene
Deposit Disputes8 min

Shop or Office Deposit Not Returned? Commercial Tenancy Deposit Disputes in Hong Kong

EasyDebt's guide, compiled from Hong Kong Judiciary public information and commercial real-estate industry practice, on how shop and office deposit disputes differ from residential ones, what a reinstatement clause requires, and how to recover a deposit through the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only, not legal advice.

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Illustration in the soft cardboard cute style: an apron-wearing merchant character (char-merchant) stands behind a wooden counter with a washing machine's drum cover removed in front of her, the green-and-navy EasyDebt origami lion standing on all fours beside her, a plain-faced wall clock and a purely geometric wall decoration behind them.
Appliance Repair8 min

Appliance Repair Shop Overcharged or Made It Worse? Disputing Repairs in Hong Kong

EasyDebt sets out, based on public information from the Supply of Services (Implied Terms) Ordinance (Cap. 457) and the Hong Kong Judiciary: when a household appliance repair bill balloons or a shop won't release your appliance, what your legal grounds are, how to calculate the amount, and how to pursue a claim through the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only; this is not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style man in a grey top and navy trousers holds a blank clipboard in an empty Hong Kong flat, looking at scuff marks on the wall, with the green paper-craft lion standing on all fours on the wooden floor beside him and residential towers visible through the window
Deposit Disputes8 min read

Fair Wear and Tear or Real Damage? Deposit Deduction Disputes in Hong Kong

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC), the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance, and the Hong Kong Judiciary: how the law distinguishes fair wear and tear from real damage when a landlord deducts from your deposit, what evidence wins the argument, and how to recover an unreasonable deduction at the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style casual young man character hands a sealed paper deposit envelope to a smart-casual woman character across a cardboard table, with a small folded-paper house model on the table and an empty wooden chair beside them, set in a matte cardboard scene with paper trees in the background
Deposit Disputes9 min read

Deposit Held by the Estate Agent, Not the Landlord? How to Recover It in Hong Kong

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available Estate Agents Authority (EAA) practice circulars and Hong Kong Judiciary information: when a rental deposit is held by the estate agent as stakeholder, what to do if the agent goes quiet or refuses to release the money, who the right party to pursue actually is, and how to recover it through the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style woman in a yellow blouse and burgundy pleated skirt standing behind a desk stacked with paper coin towers, a green origami lion standing on the desk, a cardboard filing cabinet against the wall
Debt Recovery9 min

Charging Interest on a Private Loan in Hong Kong: What Cap. 163 Lets You Recover

EasyDebt breaks this down using CLIC (Community Legal Information Centre), a government press release and the Hong Kong Judiciary: under section 24 of the Money Lenders Ordinance (Cap. 163), charging interest above 48% per annum is a criminal offence; a rate between 36% and 48% is presumed an extortionate transaction and generally unenforceable unless the court is satisfied otherwise; these thresholds took effect on 30 December 2022 and apply to any person, not just licensed money lenders. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style man in a grey top and navy trousers sitting at a wooden desk in a study, both hands resting on two stacked piles of blank white paper, a green paper-craft lion standing on all fours on the floor beside the desk
Estate Agency Disputes8 min

Complain to the EAA or Sue for the Money? Two Routes in a Hong Kong Agency Dispute

EasyDebt's guide, based on public guidance from the Estate Agents Authority and the Hong Kong Judiciary — the EAA can discipline a licensed agent, but has no power to recover your losses; getting money back means the Small Claims Tribunal (up to HK$75,000). The two routes do different jobs, and you often need both. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style woman in a yellow blouse and burgundy skirt sitting behind an estate agency counter, gesturing while explaining, a green paper-craft lion standing on all fours beside the counter, a row of blank paper signs hanging in the shopfront window
Estate Agency Disputes9 min

Estate Agency Commission Disputes in Hong Kong: When Is Commission Actually Owed?

EasyDebt's guide, based on public guidance from the Estate Agents Authority and the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC) — commission amounts are set entirely by contract, not by law; a claimant needs a signed estate agency agreement to have an enforceable right to it, and disputes can go to EAA determination or the Small Claims Tribunal. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style shopkeeper in an apron opening a yellowed cardboard box in the back room of a small Hong Kong shop, holding up a blank slip of paper, a green origami lion standing on the counter beside them
Debt Recovery9 min

How Long Do You Have to Sue for a Debt in Hong Kong? The Six-Year Limitation Period

EasyDebt breaks this down using CLIC (Community Legal Information Centre), Hong Kong law-firm published guidance and the Judiciary: the general limitation period for recovering a debt is six years (Limitation Ordinance Cap. 347), running from the date repayment fell due — not the date the money was lent. A written, signed acknowledgement or a part-payment can restart the clock, and passing the deadline doesn't automatically mean the debt is unrecoverable. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style woman in a yellow top and burgundy pleated skirt holding a blank folder, standing where two corridors meet — a teal doorframe on the left and a wooden doorframe on the right — with the green origami lion standing beside her on all fours
Tenancy Disputes9 min

Which Hong Kong Tribunal Hears a Landlord-Tenant Dispute?

EasyDebt breaks down the split, based on Hong Kong Judiciary public information: the Small Claims Tribunal recovers money up to HK$75,000 but cannot order a tenant to leave; the Lands Tribunal handles recovery of possession; and claims above $75,000 go to the District Court or Court of First Instance. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style woman in a mint-green hoodie and navy trousers standing in an empty room, holding a blank sheet of paper in both hands, a green paper-craft lion standing on all fours beside her
Estate Agency Disputes9 min

Signed a Viewing Form in Hong Kong? What It Commits You To

EasyDebt's guide, based on the Estate Agents Authority and Hong Kong law — a viewing form is the statutory estate agency agreement (Form 4 for buyers, Form 6 for tenants); signing it can still leave you owing commission if you complete a deal through another agent or the owner directly while the agreement is valid. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style elderly man in a burgundy cardigan sitting at a desk in a Hong Kong home, sorting two stacks of blank documents, a wooden abacus and pen on the desk, a green paper-craft lion lying on all fours on the floor beside him
Tenancy Disputes9 min

Rent in Arrears: A Hong Kong Landlord's Guide

EasyDebt's guide, based on the Hong Kong Judiciary, CLIC and the Inland Revenue Department's stamp duty guidance — a landlord's recoverable claim is the arrears plus whatever rates, government rent and interest the tenancy agreement makes the tenant liable for; the deposit should be applied before filing, and claims of HK$75,000 or under can go to the Small Claims Tribunal. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style young man standing at the doorway of an emptied-out Hong Kong flat, three cardboard boxes stacked against the wall, a few blank envelopes scattered on the floor, a set of keys on the kitchen counter, a green paper-craft lion standing on all fours beside the boxes
Tenancy Disputes9 min

Dealing with a Rent Defaulter in Hong Kong: What to Do, in Order

EasyDebt's guide, based on the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) and CLIC — a landlord facing unpaid rent should follow a set order: document, demand, then terminate through the court. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, cutting utilities) is unlawful and can trigger a criminal charge and a counterclaim. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style elderly man leaning over a blank sheet of paper at a Hong Kong dinner table at night, pen in hand, paper-craft lion standing on the same table beside a teapot and a fruit bowl
Debt Recovery9 min

How to Write a Loan Note (IOU) in Hong Kong — and How to Sue Without One

EasyDebt breaks this down using the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department, the Money Lenders Ordinance and CLIC (Community Legal Information Centre): what a valid loan note needs, a copyable template, whether stamping or witnessing is required, the statutory interest ceiling, and how to prove an undocumented loan. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style young man seated at a home desk in Hong Kong with an opened envelope and two separate stacks of paper, paper-craft lion standing on all fours beside him
Tribunal Procedure9 min

How to File a Counterclaim in Hong Kong

EasyDebt's guide, based on Hong Kong Judiciary guidance and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance (Cap. 338) — a defendant may file a Form of Counterclaim alongside a Defence, must lodge it in person, pays a separate filing fee, and has it heard together with the original claim. Procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion and cardboard student character reviewing paper slips together at a desk before claiming a tuition refund
Consumer Disputes10 min

Tutoring Centre or Online Course Won't Refund? How to Recover Fees in Hong Kong

EasyDebt's guide based on the Continuing Education Fund standard refund policy, EDB circulars and Consumer Council material: CEF courses discontinued after commencement must be refunded pro-rata within one month, tuition centres must register under the Education Ordinance but registration does not mean fees are regulated, and claims up to HK$75,000 can be filed at the Small Claims Tribunal.

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Paper-craft lion and the cardboard woman character outside a shuttered Hong Kong travel agency, a small suitcase beside her
Consumer Disputes12 min read

Travel Agency Cancelled Your Trip or Won't Refund You? A Complete Guide for Hong Kong Travellers

Travel agency cancelled your trip or won't refund you? A Hong Kong guide to TIA complaints, the Compensation Fund, and the Small Claims Tribunal (HK$75,000 ceiling). Not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion and the cardboard tradesperson character in a Hong Kong garage, looking over a long itemised repair invoice with a car raised on a lift behind them
Vehicle Repair9 min

Car Repair Shop Overcharged You or Botched the Job? A Complete Guide to Recovering Your Money in Hong Kong

EasyDebt sets out, based on public information from the Supply of Services (Implied Terms) Ordinance (Cap. 457), the Hong Kong Judiciary, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and Hong Kong Customs: when your repair bill balloons or the work is shoddy, what your legal grounds are, how to calculate the amount, and how to pursue a claim through the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only; this is not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion at a home desk leafing through documents, preparing to file a claim form at the Small Claims Tribunal
Tribunal Process8 min

How to File Small Claims in Hong Kong: Steps, Fees & Limit

How to file small claims in Hong Kong: claim up to HK$75,000 at the Small Claims Tribunal, filing fees run HK$20 to HK$120, and lawyers cannot represent you — you present your own case. EasyDebt breaks this down based on the Judiciary and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance, plus how to enforce a judgment. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion and the cardboard woman character at a gym and beauty salon reception counter, reading through a membership contract
Beauty & Gym9 min read

Gym or Beauty Salon Refused Your Refund? Consumer Council Mediation, Chargebacks, and the Small Claims Tribunal

Gym or beauty salon refusing to refund you? Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Consumer Council, the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (Hong Kong Customs), and the Hong Kong Judiciary: free mediation, credit card chargebacks, the evidence you need, and how to file at the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion writing a demand letter at a warmly lit desk, with a wax-sealed envelope on the table
Tribunal Process7 min

Demand Letter Template for Hong Kong Debts

EasyDebt breaks down the demand letter based on the Hong Kong Judiciary and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance: what to include, how to get the tone right, how to send it, and what to do next if the other side ignores it and you need to file at the Small Claims Tribunal. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion and the cardboard elder character looking up at a damp-stained ceiling in a Hong Kong flat, a bucket catching drips below
Water Leakage9 min read

Water Leakage Claims: How to Recover Repair Costs When the Upstairs Owner Won't Pay

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Joint Office for Investigation of Water Seepage Complaints (Buildings Department and Food and Environmental Hygiene Department) and the Hong Kong Judiciary: how to use the official investigation process, professional leak testing, and evidence to recover repair costs through the Small Claims Tribunal if negotiation fails — including the key points of the new investigation procedure effective from 16 July 2026. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A paper-craft lion in a neat shirt, holding a folder, walking steadily into a Small Claims Tribunal hearing room ready to present his own case
Tribunal Process10 min

Representing Yourself at the Small Claims Tribunal

Facing your first Small Claims Tribunal hearing without a lawyer? EasyDebt breaks down what to wear, how to present your case, how to handle cross-examination, and every step of the trial day — plus what happens after you win or lose — based on the Hong Kong Judiciary and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance.

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Paper-craft lion and the cardboard young man character at an apartment doorway, examining an opened parcel with the wrong contents
Online Shopping8 min read

Online Shopping Gone Wrong: How to Claim When Goods Don't Match or Never Arrive in Hong Kong

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Hong Kong Judiciary, the Consumer Council, and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance: how to tell local sellers from overseas ones, the evidence you need, and the correct claim amounts and filing fees for the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion and the cardboard young man character at a home studio desk, going through a stack of unpaid invoices beside a laptop
Debt Recovery8 min

Freelancer's Guide to Unpaid Invoices in Hong Kong: Filing at the Small Claims Tribunal

EasyDebt sets out, based on the Hong Kong Judiciary and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance: freelancers, designers, photographers and consultants left unpaid by a client can recover fees of up to HK$75,000 through the Small Claims Tribunal — even without a formal contract, and without a lawyer. For general procedural reference only; this is not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion and the cardboard tradesperson character inspecting cracked plaster in a half-finished Hong Kong renovation, tools on the floor
Renovation8 min

Renovation Contractor Disputes in Hong Kong

EasyDebt sets out, based on public information from the Hong Kong Judiciary, the Consumer Council and Hong Kong Customs: what to do when a renovation contractor disappears, abandons the project, or delivers substandard work — evidence to gather, options before filing, and how to pursue a Small Claims Tribunal claim. For general procedural reference only; this is not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion bent over a desk carefully filling in a Small Claims Tribunal claim form, pen in hand, with a blank form on the desk
Tribunal Process10 min

How to File Small Claims: Form 1 & 2 Full Example

EasyDebt breaks this down using the Hong Kong Judiciary and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance: the claim form is really two documents, Form 1 and Form 2. This guide gives a full worked example of the grounds of claim, the correct way to submit, and the 5 most common mistakes — so you get it right the first time.

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A paper-craft lion sitting at a home desk opening a wax-sealed summons envelope, with several official forms spread out on the desk, looking focused and thoughtful
Tribunal Process9 min

Received a Small Claims Tribunal Summons? Complete Defendant's Response Guide

Received a Small Claims Tribunal summons? Don't panic — EasyDebt breaks down the real defence deadline, what Form 3 actually is, counterclaims, and hearing preparation, based on the Hong Kong Judiciary and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance.

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Paper-craft lion and the cardboard tenant character inspecting the walls of an emptied Hong Kong rental flat on move-out day, keys and boxes on the floor
Deposit Disputes9 min read

Which Tribunal Hears a Landlord-Tenant Dispute?

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Community Legal Information Centre (CLIC), the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance, and the Hong Kong Judiciary: which deduction reasons hold up, what evidence you need, and how to recover a deposit through the Small Claims Tribunal. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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A paper-craft lion standing tall to hoist a wax-sealed writ of seizure, beside paper-craft gold coins and banknotes representing recovered money
Tribunal Process8 min

How to Enforce a Small Claims Judgment in HK

A Small Claims Tribunal judgment doesn't collect the money for you — the only enforcement method the Tribunal officially publishes is a Writ of Fieri Facias (seizure of goods). EasyDebt sets out the application steps, fees and limits based on the Hong Kong Judiciary's 'How to Enforce a Judgment' leaflet and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance, and clears up why a charging order or attachment of income order is NOT a Small Claims Tribunal procedure.

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A paper-craft lion sitting at a wooden desk in a home study, with bookshelves, a potted plant, and sunlight through a window behind him, tapping a calculator while checking a long receipt, with two stacks of paper-craft coins on the desk
Tribunal Process7 min

Small Claims Tribunal Fees in Hong Kong

EasyDebt breaks down the Hong Kong Judiciary's October 2024 Small Claims Tribunal fee schedule: filing fees are tiered from HK$20 to HK$120 by claim amount, plus review and writ of execution fees, with a cost framework for deciding whether pursuing a claim is worthwhile. For general reference only — not legal advice.

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A paper-craft lion standing at a fork in the road — one path leads to a desk with forms and a pen, the other to a warm light where someone is waiting to help
Tribunal Process7 min

DIY Filing vs. Getting Help: How to Choose Your Small Claims Tribunal Route

Should you file your Hong Kong Small Claims Tribunal claim yourself, or get professional support? EasyDebt breaks down the real differences, costs, and who each route suits, based on the Judiciary's tribunal guidance and the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance. For general reference only — not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion at a desk against an arched background, sorting photos, receipts, message screenshots, and documents into labelled boxes to organise as evidence
Tribunal Process8 min

Preparing Evidence for the Small Claims Tribunal

EasyDebt breaks this down using the Hong Kong Judiciary's official leaflets, including 'Documents Required in Small Claims Cases': how to prepare photos, messages, receipts, and witness statements before filing at the Small Claims Tribunal, with practical notes on document pagination and the email submission restriction. General procedural information only, not legal advice.

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Paper-craft lion beside a small Hong Kong shop counter as the cardboard merchant character looks over an open ledger
Debt Recovery8 min

Debt Limitation Period in Hong Kong: Six Years

Before you chase a debt, read this. EasyDebt sets out — based on the Limitation Ordinance (Cap. 347), the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance and public Hong Kong Judiciary information — limitation periods for debt recovery, whether verbal agreements count, how to assess the other party's ability to pay, and which route best fits your case. For general procedural reference only; this is not legal advice.

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A cardboard-style man in a grey top sitting at a living-room table, one hand holding the snapped-off handle of a dented paper kettle, the other resting on a blank paper note, a green paper-craft lion standing on all fours beside the table
Consumer Disputes9 min read

Consumer Council Complaint: Will You Get Paid?

Prepared by EasyDebt using publicly available information from the Consumer Council, Hong Kong Customs, and the Hong Kong Judiciary: the real difference between complaining to the Consumer Council and filing at the Small Claims Tribunal — which one can actually get your money back. For general procedural reference only — not legal advice.

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