FACTBOX-Recent property policies by key Asian centres

HONG KONG, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Some governments in Asia have
announced a slew of property policies over the past month to
address concerns over asset bubbles and housing affordability.

Singapore unveiled tightening measures this week after
similar moves in Hong Kong and China, as economies in the region
including parts of India and Thailand face overheating threats to
their property markets.

Taiwan central bank officials told Reuters this week that
they were checking bank records for property-related loans as
part of efforts to clamp down on buyers of second homes in Taipei
city and county, where price rises have been strong.

South Korea is the only exception among major Asian economies
to announce loosening measures to prop up its sluggish market,
although measures fell short of expectations because of high
household debt worries.

Following is a list of latest key property measures announced
by Asian governments:

TAIWAN (TIGHTENING)

- The central bank is making sure that banks comply with
regulations stipulating that in Taipei, new mortgages for second
homes should not exceed 70 percent of the property value and that
borrowers should repay interest and capital. Previously, banks
had the flexibility of allowing mortgage borrowers to repay
interest first and capital later.

- Since June, Taiwan's central bank has been asking banks to
submit reports on their property-related loans every two weeks,
central bank officials said.

SINGAPORE (TIGHTENING)

- The holding period for seller stamp duty increased to three
years from one year.

- An increase in the minimum cash payment for property buyers
with existing housing loans.

- Buyers of second properties can borrow up to 70 percent of
the property value, down from 80 percent allowed previously.

- The measures which took effect from Aug. 30 apply to buyers
of private property and government housing.

SOUTH KOREA (LOOSENING)

- On Sunday, the government announced that it would ease some
mortgage borrowing restrictions for low-income earners buying
homes for their own use. [ID:nTOE67S007]

- The government has extended by two years the exemption from
punitive sales taxes for multiple home owners beyond the original
deadline set at the end of this year.

HONG KONG (TIGHTENING)

- Earlier in August, the government lowered the mortgage loan
ceiling to 60 percent from 70 percent for properties with
transaction prices of HK$12 million ($1.5 million) or above.
[ID:nTOE67C067]

- The government pledged to increase housing supply by
conducting more land auctions this year.

CHINA (TIGHTENING)

- China urged developers to accelerate property construction
to increase supply. [ID:TOE67I087]

- Chinese regulators call for stress tests on loans to a wide
range of industries, including cement and steel, whose fortunes
are closely tied to the property market, official media said.
[ID:nTOE67500M]

- Regulators order lenders to test the impact of a fall in
house prices of up to 60 percent in key cities and instruct banks
to stop extending mortgages to people buying third homes in four
of the cities

- Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hangzhou. [ID:nTOE674014]
(Compiled by Lee Chyen Yee and Jeanny Kao in Taipei; Editing by
Chris Lewis)
(See www.reutersrealestate.com for Reuters' global service for
real estate professionals)