Hong Kong Renovation Council May Offer Bigger Subsidies in Ageing Districts

Hong Kong’s planned renovation monitoring body will consider larger subsidies for homeowners of ageing buildings in older districts or areas with high elderly populations when they use its supervision services for major repairs.

Subsidies tied to building conditions

The possible increase in support is linked to the age and location of buildings, as well as the use of the body’s services during major repair work.

“In places with a high elderly population, and in older districts and ageing buildings, there’s no harm in offering a larger subsidy when appropriate,” Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Saturday.

Chan said the Building Maintenance Support and Services Council would be a non-profit body.

The council is being set up to curb malpractice in the industry after the Tai Po fire report, he said.

However, the body would have to recover its costs because owners mainly bear responsibility for maintaining private residential property, Chan said.

Charges and assistance

Service charges would depend on factors including the scope of the work, according to Chan.

Fees are estimated at several thousand Hong Kong dollars per household.

Authorities would subsidise those in need, he said.

The proposed arrangement could therefore provide different levels of support for homeowners using supervision services for major repairs, with larger subsidies considered in older districts, ageing buildings and places with high elderly populations.

The council’s cost-recovery requirement reflects the stated responsibility of owners for private residential property maintenance, while the subsidy provision addresses those unable to meet the charges.

Source: South China Morning Post