To enhance the living conditions of Hong Kong people living in old and dilapidated buildings, and to provide owners with free professional advice on property management, the Home Affairs Department of the HKSAR Government, in collaboration with Hong Kong Housing Society and other professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Housing Asian Pacific Branch, the Hong Kong Institute of Housing, the Housing Managers Registration Board, and the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies launched a “Building Management Professional Service Scheme”. The Scheme aims at pooling housing management professionalism and expertise in providing tailor-made assistance and free professional advice to owners.

The scheme is a trial one and will last for one year, commencing from 1 April 2010.Team members of the Scheme, being volunteers from the aforesaid organizations, will pay visits to households living in the target building clusters, and prepare management audit reports enlisting the condition of the buildings in question. The volunteers will then assist the owners in forming Owners’ Corporation, in carrying out proper building management, in taking on major repairs and maintenance, etc where appropriate.

A kick-off ceremony of BMPSS was held on 30 March 2010 at 1430hr in the Hong Kong Housing Society Property Management Advisory Centre at Henry G Leung Yau Ma Tai Community Centre. It was well attended by over 100 housing professionals and volunteers for the Scheme. Mr David Leung JP, Deputy Director of the Home Affairs Department (HAD) delivered his opening address, briefing participants on the details of the Scheme and future targets of HAD in regulating the PM industry. Furthermore, convener of the ceremony, Mr Cliff Wong and representative of ICAC addressed the audience on issues related to the Scheme. After that, housing professionals from HKHS who had worked on similar projects shared their experience with volunteers including forming OC, actualization of contract and preparation of tender document etc.

The Scheme was officially launched on 1 April 2010. Led by representatives of various housing bodies, including Mr Sanford Poon and Mr Cliff Wong, Chairman and Vice Chairman of CIH APB, Dr. Edmond CHENG , President of the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, 30 volunteers had made an initial visit to a cluster of old buildings with 180 units in Kowloon City. Full scale survey and home visit will be conducted thereafter.

To facilitate the operation of the BMPSS, a central administration office has been set up in the Joint Office of the participating organizations. Two full time managers and an administrative officer have been employed to coordinate the operation, deployment of volunteers and logistics of BMPSS.

For enquires 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 also visit the Home Affairs Office Website (www.buildingmgt.gov.hk) or visit the Public Enquiry Service Centre of District Offices for further information.