A viral video capturing a tenant's nightmare—strangers attempting to enter her rented flat with a key—has reignited debates over tenant privacy and estate agency protocols.
The incident shared by the female tenant on Threads occurred when a real estate agent unexpectedly brought clients to view her recently rented apartment.
According to the uploaded footage, the incident occurred around 11.53am yesterday, where a male agent was seen introducing the property while standing outside the tenant's door to a couple.
He tried to use a key to open the tenant's door and rang the doorbell, departing only after finding the safety lock was on.
The poster, who was asleep inside at the time, recounted being startled awake by the sound of keys and the doorbell.
Upon reviewing the smart doorbell footage, she realized the agent had fully unlocked the deadbolt. "It was baffling, " she wrote, expressing relief that the safety lock had prevented the agent’s entry.
“It’s hard to imagine what would have happened if I had woken up alone with a group of strangers in the unit,” she added.
Following a confrontation with the property agency involved in the incident, she was only offered three HK$100 ParknShop coupons as compensation -- a gesture she found unacceptable.
She noted that she filed a police report, but authorities indicated that it was not a criminal case in nature and did not proceed with the case.
In a media inquiry, the tenant revealed she had signed the tenancy agreement on December 20, paid the deposit on January 1, and moved in during the rent-free period.
She emphasized that the agent, with the landlord present during the signing, had stated all keys were returned.
The post quickly gained traction online, with many labeling the incident "insane" and expressing sympathy for the tenant's loss of security.
A flood of advice followed, with numerous commenters stressing that changing the locks is essential after renting a property. Many also urged the tenant to file a formal complaint with the Estate Agents Authority (EAA).
In response to the inquiry of Sing Tao Daily -- the sister publication of The Standard -- Barrister Luk Wai-hung believed the incident may not involve criminal offenses such as burglary or attempted burglary, but may involve negligence and violation of the professional code.
The landlord or tenant is urged to pursue civil claims and lodge a complaint with EAA.
