Under its plan to regulate substandard flats, the Housing Bureau has proposed a one-year period to allow landlords to register their flats for rectification starting from March.
The proposed HK$3,000 accreditation fee for each unit can be waived or reduced if they complete the rectification and alteration works before a 36-month grace period expires in February 2030.
A report by professionals is also required to prove that the property meets the minimum standards: for example, each unit has to be at least eight square metres in size and has to come with an enclosed toilet.
Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Hayson Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Basic Housing Units Operators Association, said the grace period provides sufficient time for homeowners to make the necessary changes.
However, he is concerned about the cost of accreditation.
“For example, splitting one flat into four would mean HK$3,000 multiplied by four,” Chan said.
“But when you add in the certification fees charged by professionals, and from what I hear from some professionals, they all said the fees would be at least tens of thousands of dollars.
“I also saw that the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors had stated that the minimum cost ranges from HK$15,000 to HK$30,000.
“So, the total will add up to at least HK$40,000 to HK$50,000.”
Chan hopes that the government can offer more details as to how the certification has to be carried out.
As for whether landlords would pass on the additional costs to tenants, he said that would depend on the market situation.
The bill has been gazetted, and it will be tabled to lawmakers next month.
