ROOK
Just gone thru the process of renting a place. The 14 grand is given to people that cannot/or do not have there name to a place. This would the case of someone commuting for example but obviously still based in HK. People may use it to pay for a hotel or bum a couch at a mates place.
The amount you get paid for housing does change with the rental market (monthly). At the moment it is in the region of about 32000 per month.
When you go and have a look at places you can indicate clearly that you only want to go up to the CX amount so you dont dive into your own pay. Most agents are fully aware of this and helpful.
CX WONT just give you the max amount. When you find a place CX will assess the place and determine if the amount being asked for rent matches the place (ie condition, location, value). If all good CX will then provide you with 2 months rent plus normally 1 month deposit which you may have to initially pay ( You get it back) to get your name to the place.
There will also be the cost to you however of Commission. If you use the agent that is contracted to CX its zero, however all other agents will expect between 25% to 50% of one months rent.
When you get here (if you haven't already) you get briefed on all this on you induction day.
This hopefully helps with renting at least.