Law Question - Deadline 24 Oct, 2022

Edwin (age 40) lived in a big flat in Tai Po and paid rent of HK$40,000 each month. He lived alone. As the flat has four bedrooms and Edwin was not using them all, he advertised in a newspaper to sublet the spare rooms. On reading the advertisement, his sister Elaine (age 35) asked if she could have one of the bedrooms. Edwin said he is happy to have relatives to live with him and Elaine verbally agreed to pay him HK $15,000 each month to share the rent and outgoings. Elaine persuaded Edwin to trust her because they are close family members and they did not sign any formal lease contract. She then moved into the flat. After three months, Elaine told Edwin that she had found a job in China and immediately moved out. She had not paid Edwin anything in the last three months. Advise Edwin whether he can sue Elaine for the last three months' rent and outgoings under contract law. (Total : 25 marks)