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Building Management Professional Service Scheme
The lack of management of private old and dilapidated buildings has always been a problem in Hong Kong. Not only the residents residing in these buildings live in poor living environment, the lack of proper management and maintenance of these buildings had also induced safety hazards and adversely affected the life safety of the residents and that of the community at large.
The tragic incident of building collapse happened at Ma Tau Wai Road in late January arouses even more concern about the proper management and maintenance of aged buildings in Hong Kong.
In response to the concern of the community to improve the management of the old buildings, Home Affairs Department of the HKSAR Government, in collaboration with Hong Kong Housing Society, Chartered Institute of Housing Asian Pacific Branch, Hong Kong Institute of Housing, Housing Managers Registration Board, and Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies launched a “Building Management Professional Service Scheme”. The scheme is a trial one and will last for one year, commencing on in on 1 April 2010.
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The scheme aims to provide owners with free professional advice on property management, maintenance and follow up services to improve the management of around 1,000 units in old and dilapidated buildings. The Scheme has pooled together professional housing managers and housing experts to provide tailor-made assistance to owners who cannot organize themselves in managing their buildings or lack of necessary professional knowledge. Team members, formed by HKHS and property management professional including members of CIHAPB, will pay visits to households living in the target building clusters, offering professional advice and services and to answer their questions directly. They will also produce building management audit reports with suggestion to enhance the management, maintenance and condition of the building. They will also assist owners and OC’s in applying for various loans and assistance schemes offered by government department and other organizations, and assist owners of target building under Category 2 of the Operation Building Bright in the coordination of maintenance and repair work.
Target buildings of “Building Management Professional Service Scheme” can be divided into two categories. The first category covers buildings jointly selected by the Home Affairs Department and Hong Kong Housing Society. The second category is for flat owners who are interested in the scheme and submitted application to the Home Affair Department. Some 900 flats from the first category and 100 flats from the second category can benefit from the scheme.
Criteria for buildings covered by the scheme are:
- Residential or composite buildings aged 30 years or above;
- Average rateable value of the residential units does not exceed $100,000;
- Building lack of maintenance or are in dilapidated conditions, requiring maintenance or repair work.
Chartered Institute of Housing Asian Pacific Branch commits herself to participate in this meaningful Scheme to help those owners and residents living in these old dilapidated buildings. Members of the Branch have joined the Expert Team carrying out the household visit.
For enquiries or application to join the Expert Team, please contact Ms Patsy Yung of Branch Office at 2356-8680 or email to us at apb@cih.org.hk
Members can visit the Home Affairs Office Website (www.buildingmgt.gov.hk) or visit the Public Enquiry Service Centre of District Offices for further information.
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