plaintiff:
  - CHAN YUK WAH

defendant:
  - RICHARDS, CAMERON KEITH

case_reason: Part IV Possession Application seeking to recover arrears of rent and possession of a semi-detached house property at No.67B, 10th Street, Hong Lok Yuen. The dispute centered on whether there was a valid agreement to reduce monthly rent from $18,000 to $15,500, and whether the tenant had paid the required rent in full.

judgment_summary: The Lands Tribunal heard a possession application (LDPD 1380/2004) concerning rental arrears for a property leased since 6 September 2002. The landlord claimed the tenant failed to pay full rent from October 2003, resulting in arrears. The tenant argued he had paid in full based on an agreement to reduce rent from $18,000 to $15,500 per month. The tribunal examined correspondence between the parties, including a letter dated 21 May 2003 marked "Without Prejudice" offering rent reduction, the tenant's acceptance on 10 October 2003, and the landlord's attempted repudiation on 17 October 2003. Despite finding that consideration existed (tenant giving up early termination rights under Clause 4 of Schedule II), the tribunal ruled that the "Without Prejudice" letter should not be disclosed and therefore concluded there was no valid rent reduction agreement. The tribunal rejected the tenant's defense regarding outstanding repair works, stating repair issues do not justify non-payment of rent.

jurisdiction_code: HKLDT

jurisdiction_name: Lands Tribunal of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

case_location: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

case_object:
  - Recovery of rental arrears
  - Possession of leased property
  - Validity of rent reduction agreement
  - Interpretation of "Without Prejudice" correspondence

judgment_result:
  - charge: Arrears of rent from 6 March 2004 to 5 April 2004
    result: Respondent ordered to pay $3,840 in arrears
  - charge: Arrears of rent/mesne profits from 6 April 2004 until delivery of vacant possession
    result: Respondent ordered to pay at rate of $18,000 per month
  - charge: Possession of property
    result: Vacant possession to be delivered to Applicant if Respondent fails to pay within 14 days (relief from forfeiture available if paid within 14 days)
  - charge: Costs
    result: Respondent ordered to pay Applicant's costs fixed at $800

involved_entities:
  - entity_name: C.Y. LAM
    reason: Member of the Lands Tribunal who presided over the case and delivered the judgment on 16 July 2004
  - entity_name: LEUNG Yiu-ki
    reason: Representative of the Applicant (landlord's husband) who appeared in court
  - entity_name: High Court Ordinance, Cap. 4
    reason: Referenced legislation providing the 14-day payment period for relief from forfeiture
