Acquisition and Compensation

The Government may acquire private land by resumption for the implementation of public projects such as a road scheme, a public housing development, an urban renewal project, an open space, a drainage improvement project, a new market, a school or any item in the Public Works Programme. According to the purpose of public projects, resumption proceedings may be instituted mainly under the provisions of:

Private land may also be adversely affected when easements or other permanent rights and rights of temporary occupation of land are created for the implementation of public projects under the relevant Ordinance in favour of the Government.

When the private land is resumed or otherwise adversely affected by the actions of the Government, the Ordinance under which the legal interest is extinguished or affected provides for the payment of compensation. The compensatable interest is limited by the provisions of the Ordinances. However, it is the general Government practice to make compensation offers based upon ex-gratia rates in full and final settlement of all claims arising out of the provisions of the Ordinance.

For more information, please refer to the following documents: -

(a)	Land Resumption and Compensation in the Urban Area - Guidelines for Owners, Occupiers and Surveyors ;
(b)	How to Receive Compensation for Private Land Resumed in the New Territories by the Government ;
(c)	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 ; and
(d)	Assistance to Brownfield Operators Displaced by the Government's Land Resumption and Clearance Exercises for Public Projects
(e)	Ex-gratia Compensation Rates for Resumed Land
(f)	Rates of Common Types of Ex-gratia Allowances for Eligible Occupiers Affected by Land Resumption and Government Development Clearance Exercises